"(open book) According to this book, in September of 2018, the ordinary high schooler Tokiwa Sougo embarks on a path which leads him to become the overlord of time, Oma Zi-O. After acquiring the power of Build, Sougo returned to his mission now with the support of Geiz. Together the party traverses to the center of the Singularity and eliminate the cause. The party quickly leave's the collapsing Singularity. Sougo then goes to France with Wyvers and finds the Genius Gamer M and-(closes book) Oh, pardon me… I suppose that is still in the future, for you."
Author Note: Thank you Kuroha Kurusu. You are right, I'll make the summary shorter next time.
The Heisei Kamen Riders and the Holy Grail War have perdured for decades. And now, they pass on their power and legacy onto the next generation! Rejoice!, for the Birth of a new King!
(Oh, yeah. Ohh…)
(Sougo, Geiz, Tsukyomi, Olga, and Mash look upon all the Previous Riders doing their Rider kicks. Scene changes to the Time portal, the Time Mazine flying through them, as the Katakana word for Rider attaches to Zi-O's helmet)
Isshun de tsukamitoru no sa Are you ready?
(Are you ready?)
(Sougo reaches out to the clocks on the wall, before swinging his arm down. The Background spinning in synch with his arm.)
Atarashī rekishi wa soko ni Feel it! Feel it!
(Crazy baby!)
(Geiz wipes something off his face before throwing aside his torn coat, the background spinning behind him. Changes to Tsukiyomi walking straight before camera changes to her side, the world spinning again.)
Hikari wo kate ni kasokushite
(Changes to Mashu and Olga who stand behind the Chaldea symbol. Olga glitches and fades in and out as she looks at her hand. Mash looks at the camera, a clock behind her counting down.)
Konomama Shout it out! Shout it out!
(The scene is crushed by Oma Zi-O, as he looks up his crimson eyes glowing. Scene changes to, the Gang standing over the Ride Watches before looking up at the Camera.)
Ima wo susume yō
(Changes to Woz, in a darkened room, with a clock in the background, from the sky flaming scraps of papers fall around him. Woz looks at the screen, flames light his face as he holds the book in his hand.)
Madō hi mo Ikudo tonaku Asu no tobira tatake
(Changes to Heure quickly speeding onto pulling down one of his eyes and sticking out his tongue before moving aside, behind Ora and Swartz keep their back, hiding their faces. Scene changes to a set of large thrones, each designed differently. Scene changes again to Woz who shows the book, flames coming off a close up shows Oma Zi-O obliterating rebels to dust. Then to the Ride Watche's faces turning then activating.)
Mitsumeta sono saki ni
(The Rider statues, crack and stone cascades off revealing the suits underneath. Quick change to Geiz turning his Ride Watch. Then to more Riders, then to Olga who turns a Ride Watch, more Statues.)
Tobikonde mitara
(Then Sougo who turns the face of the watch, as the statue of Sougo crumbles.)
Believe Yourself!
(Oma Zi-O stands behind the rubble. Camera comes close up to Oma Zi-O. The Rubble hiding his helmet only letting the Red eyes glow though it.)
Now, Over "Quartzer"
(Sougo exclaims Henshin before spinning his belt, the world spinning behind him.)
Toki no ame Surinukete Tomo ni
(Armor completes as the Words attach to the helmet. Zi-O, Geiz, Echo drive down a road, explosions and lasers blasting as they pass. Scene changes to a downpour of rain, as Jackers walk away from a destroyed clock. Back to the Riders as the three drive though the frozen Rider kicks.)
You, Over "Quartzer"
(Time resumes, as the Riders Kick, causing explosions. Zi-O Jumps through the fire.)
Mirai wo koe yō
(A shadowy woman, her blade in the ground in front of her, both hands resting on it turns her head back. As the camera flies back passing through 7 bubbles of different times. Before a shadowy figure brings his hands around the 8 bubbles a devious smile forming on his face. Scene changes to Sougo staring straight at the camera. He puts out his right arm as the world stops spinning. Same for Geiz, Tsukiyomi, Olga, and Mash.)
Kako no ishi wa Uso de wa azamuke nai
(Scene changes to a staircase, Zi-O, Geiz, and Echo rush in, their helmets words creating a path for them. All around them explosions go off and lasers are blasted at them.)
Kanjiro sō Nexus Future
(Tsukiyomi walks down the stairs, the Jackers shifting and glitching before disappearing leaving Tsukiyomi by herself. Scene changes to Zi-O who swings his blade attacking. Mash behind Zi-O protects him.)
Now, Over "Quartzer"
(Changes to Geiz, readying his bow before letting an arrow off. At the same time behind him, Echo shoots a few shots before kicking at the screen.)
Mabayui sekai
(Scene flashes title cards from the past before leaving Zi-O and Geiz back to back before they attack each other. The two clash their battle sparks and lights up the screen.)
Misete
(The rest of the Title cards flash before leaving.)
ZI-O Grand Order
Rayshift 3: Flames, Games, Witches, and Saints Galore!
We are Sougo
After returning to Chaldea, we rushed the director to the Medical bay. I stand in the medical room, with Geiz, Tsukuyomi, Mash with Fou on her shoulder, Roman, and laying on the medical bed, the Director. Geiz managed to save Director… But how? I look over to Geiz, and he turns to me. "What?" He asks in a rude tone.
"I'm just confused… How did you save the Director, despite her already being dead?" I ask, Mash and Roman look over to Geiz. "How did you do it?" I ask, Geiz looks around to see everyone's eye on him. He reaches to his Watch holder and taking off the an Orange Ride Watch.
"The Ghost Ride Watch. Kamen Rider Ghost, along with all of the ability of a Ghost, and having the power to summon spirits of Heroic Spirits in his own way, it can also turn others who are dead into ghosts." Geiz said showing us all the watch. Well, I guess I'd make sense that the Ghost Watch can make people into ghosts.
"So… I'm a Ghost now?" A voice said. We look over at the bed to see Director waking up.
"Director!" Mash, Roman, and I exclaim in synch. The Director who sits up and looks at Geiz.
"Yeah. But, you're on a time limit." Geiz said walking over to the table, as Director sits up. "You have 100 days to live. Unless we either find a way to give you a new body, or wish back you're old one." Geiz explains, looking at the director.
"Too bad we couldn't get the Holy Grail from Singularity F." Tsukuyomi said walking over.
"Is their not some other way?" Mash asks Geiz. Geiz looks at Mash and shakes his head.
"Not that I know of." Geiz said. "Though it's possible if we go the the Universe of Ghost. But that's going to take some time." Geiz explains before he looks at his watch. "This watch… it's the only one I managed to steal from Oma Zi-O… Even then." Geiz mutters clenching the watch.
"So then why did you save me?" Director asks Geiz, we all look to Geiz.
"Well... I saved you because, you saved me once too." Geiz answers, everyone looks at Geiz confused. "My universe's version of you. I felt like saving you is, a way of paying you back for saving me." Geiz clarifies. Did the Director of Geiz's universe save him from Oma Zi-O or something?
"We both owe you a lot Director." Tsukuyomi joins standing next to Geiz. "We'll find a way to bring you back. We promise right Geiz?" Tsukuyomi asks Geiz. Geiz nods in agreement. I can't help but chuckle after hearing their response. "Sougo?" Tsukuyomi asks.
"Senpai? What's so funny?" Mash asks me.
"Oh, sorry." I apologise. "It's just that hearing you two said that, you are really are nice people at heart." I said Geiz and Tsukuyomi. "Altho, guess I just never considered Geiz like that, so it's nice to see you like this." I said, I smile at the two. "It's reassuring to know that!" I said back with a smile on my face.
"What is that? What are you? You're supposed to be an overlord, not some kind of hero." Geiz said sighing. "Sheesh, you're optimistic." Geiz said. I let out a small chuckle scratching the back of my head. It's then that the door to the Medical office opens.
"No, no. I figure that's how it should be." A woman's voice said. We turn to the door to see a woman with brown hair, blue eyes, beautiful body, and dressed in renaissance clothing, with a metal gauntlet on the left arm, carrying a large staff, and a robotic bird on the right shoulder. "In a time like this. Optimism is our greatest ally." She said walking into the room. Geiz, Tsukuyomi and I stare at the woman. "What? Are you shocked that you met such a sight of beauty? I understand, but I'm used to it." She assumes. "Beauty" isn't the word I would use. It's more-
"No. We're confused as to who you are." Geiz bluntly states. Yeah, that's the word: Confused.
"Wow, that's blunt. You could be a little subtle at least." Roman mutters. Geiz gives Roman a death glare. "I-I'm sorry!" Roman apologies.
"Then allow me to introduce myself." She said, she bows. "I'm Da Vinci, a Chaldea collaborator. Or perhaps the third summoned Heroic Spirit." Da Vinci greets. "I am the head of Chaldea's Engineering Department." She explains to us.
"Da Vinci has been helping out Chaldea for quite some time." Mash explains.
"Oh, Da Vinci..." Geiz mutters. "Like… Leonardo Da Vinci..." Geiz said looking at Da Vinci.
"Of course, a Heroic Spirit." Tsukuyomi mutters.
"The Genius Renaissance creator..." I mutter…. Eh…?
"EEHHH~!?" Geiz, Tsukuyomi, and I all shout at once as we huddle together and walk up close to get a better look at Da Vinci. She looks at us in an expression of surprise.
"Hmm… That's a first." Da Vinci expresses looking at us. "I've never seen a reaction like that before." She said looking at us.
"Leonardo Da Vinci!? The Genius Inventor, Artist, and Architect is a… Woman?!" Tsukuyomi expresses nearly falling back only to be caught by Mash.
"A-Are you okay?!" Mash asks.
"Ho-How is this possible?!" I shout absolutely confused.
"W-Wait! I think I've heard something about this!" Geiz shouts, Tsukuyomi and I look at Geiz. "I've heard that some Figures in history are recorded as Male. But in reality, they were female!" Geiz explains, as we turn our attention back to the Genius before us. "Maybe that's what it is!" Geiz shouts. Tsukuyomi, Geiz, and I look at each other before looking back at Da Vinci who waves her hand.
"No. I'm a Guy." Da Vinci said. We all pause. EH?!
"EEEEEEHHHH~?!" Geiz, Tsukuyomi, and I shout we all huddle together and shuffle to the back of the room. Da Vinci begins to laugh looking at us.
"Oh, I've never been so glad for my face change more than today! You're reactions are the best I've seen!" Da Vinci said wiping a tear off her face. "This is what we need. Optimism and a bit of a laugh. From here on, you'll be the center of this story." She tells us, as we ease up and step away from each other. "The choices you will make, will probably save us all. It all started with the choice you made to become a Kamen Rider. Just like the multitudes of brave souls who weren't remembered by history as they saved humanity." She said walking over to me and placing her hand on my shoulder. "You've been given a role to fight, not as a Hero, not as a Demon, but as a human walking a path that was preordained by the stars." She me. "Now then, Romani I pass it on to you." Da Vinci directs us to Roman.
"Hey, where did the Director go?" Mash asks, looking over to see the Director is gone.
"She said she's going to her office. She needs to rest after all that she's been through. Let's leave her alone." Roman tell us. "Till she returns, I've been given command. Come on everyone, follow me." Roman directs us as we leave the Medical bay.
Location Change: Chaldea Command Center
"First of all, congratulations on surviving and completing your mission Sougo, Mash, Geiz, Tsukuyomi. Well done." Roman congratulates. "While the situation was forced on you gradually, and with lots of odd twists, you bravely faced the challenges and overcome it." Roman said then he quickly bows. "That earned my respect and appreciation. Thanks to you, Geiz, and Tsukuyomi, Mash, the Director, and Chaldea were saved." Roman thanks.
"Stop it! I was only able to pull though thanks Caster and Sento." I said. "I would have never gotten the help from Geiz or Tsukuyomi otherwise." I said looking at the two. "So… Thank you as well!" I said thanking Geiz and Tsukuyomi.
"We're glad to have helped out." Tsukuyomi said.
"It's better for us anyways." Geiz retorts.
"Listen. We must defend humanity in the Director's place. She's out of commission for the time being, we have to make her proud." Roman tells us. "I got a report about the crystal from Mash, and what Leff said." Roman said, I clenched my fist in anger at hearing the name. Leff.. That bastard. "From Chaldea's state, what Leff said was true. We can't contact the outside world." Roman tells us. Wait then… "The staff who left Chaldea haven't returned. I fear humanity has already been destroyed. Chaldea seems to be the only place outside of the Normal Timeline. Perhaps it's staying on the timeline right before the collapse." Romani explains.
"So then… Does that mean, everyone outside of Chaldea… Is dead?" I ask. The thoughts rushing through my head are all focused on one family member, who is irreplaceable. Uncle… Don't tell me you are gone too...
"I'm sorry to said, that looks to be the case. Think of it like a colony floating in space. The outside world is dead, until we do something about this situation." Roman tells me, I look down at the ground. No… Uncle. A hollow feeling enters my heart.
"We...We need to do something about this!" I exclaim. "We need to save the world! We have too!" I proclaim, Roman and Mash both nod at me. I will stop this and get Uncle back! I'm not losing you too!
"That's exactly right Sougo. Come see this, we tried scanning Earth with the resurrected Shiva." Roman directs us to Chaldea. "It's Earth of the past, not the future. The Fuyuki Singularity was destroyed, thanks to you guys. But we hypothesize that the future was unchanged due to another cause. The result being-" Roman said, as another voice cuts in.
"Another new Singularity. Correct?" Geiz asks. Roman looks over and nods, Roman walks over to the consol below Chaldea and presses a few keys on the screen and shows a map.
"This distorted world map. A newly-discovered dimensional disturbance against which Fuyuki pales in comparison. They said changing the past changes the future, but you can't overthrow the future by slightly altering the past. History has the power to heal itself. You might be able to save a person or two. But the end of that Era- will still end up with it's definitive result unchanged." Roman said, then pulling up a timeline of human history and showing points in time. "But these singularities are different. These are humanity's turning points. "What if this war didn't end?" "What if this naval voyage wasn't successful?" "What if this discovery was wrong?" "What if this nation couldn't become independent?" The ultimate decision point to determine the state of humanity." Roman said. All these points are important in the forming of our modern history.
"So then, destroying them is like causing the foundation of human history to crumble right?" Tsukuyomi asks. Roman nods conforming it.
"And there's seven of these singularities to stop." I said looking at the timeline.
"The future had already been decided when these seven singularities formed." Roman explains. "As Leff said, humanity doesn't make it to 2019. But we're different. Chaldea has yet to reach that future." Roman said turning to us. "Do you understand? Only we can fix this mistake. Now we have a chance to return the singularities to normal." Roman said looking at the Time Mazines sitting in the room. "So here's the deal. You will use the Time Mazines and Rayshift into these seven singularities and get history back on track. The Time Mazines will be safer to transport you to those times. Doing so is the only way to save humanity. However we are still powerless. All the other Master candidates are frozen. Mash is the only Servant we have." Roman explains. We're only 4.
"Not all the candidates." Geiz speaks up. We look over to him as he shows us the back of his right hand. The back of the hand glows as a command seal appears. The design of it is a partial clock, a gap between 10 and 12 missing. The short hand reaching to around two, while the short hand is at 10. The look of the watch reminds me of blood stains, with drops of blood bleeding out from the edges. The Seal is broken into three parts, the edge of the clock is one piece, the hands the second, and the center the third.
"That's!" I exclaim before I look at my command seals. The seals I have are patterned in a cross shaped shield. The Edge of the shield being part 1, a second cross in the center of the shield being part 2, and finally a blade shape in the center being the 3rd part. "That means… You're a master too?!" I exclaim. "Then… Wait, where's your servant?" I ask him.
"My? Does that mean I get to come out?" I hear a voice around me. I look around to see where the voice was coming from. This almost sounds like when I met Caster for the first time, does that mean this Servant is hidden somehow?
"I guess so. Come on out Assassin." Geiz said, a woman appears next to him.
"May we know you're servant's real name?" I ask, Geiz looks at me. And goes silent.
"Geiz-kun, Sougo-kun is trusting you as an ally. It's best not to betray that trust no?" Assassin reminds Geiz, as Geiz ponders more, he sighs and nods. Assassin then puts her hands together. "Okay then. I'm Assassin, Charlotte Corday! Since we'll be working together I'll do the very best I can, so please be sure to help out Geiz-kun. He can be very rash so please watch out for him. I'm sure both you and Tsukuyomi-chan will help keep my Master alive." Charlotte greets.
Charlotte is a 5'1" woman with short cut brown hair an average build with a large chest. She wears a black matiné hat with a red rose placed on it, a pure white Victorian Style dresses with the skirt going just down past the knees. On the skirt are black flowers placed in a pattern of three. Two smaller flowers to the side of one larger flower. Blue stockings, with combat boots. She carries a small red handled, two hand knife. The blade is off set forward so the bottom of the blade acts as a guard. Finally a small float ghost with a yellow cloth over something with small yellow wings and a halo above it.
"Oh… Um… Sure." I said bowing to Charlotte.
"Ah… um… H-Hello." Mash greets Charlotte. "I-I'm a new Servant and uh… I look forward to learning form you!" Mash introduces bowing to Charlotte.
"Oh? Well, I don't believe I'm the best person to take reference from, but I look forward to working with you as well. Mashu was it?" Charlotte asks.
"Ah, yes. Mashu Kyrielight. It's nice to meet you." Mash greets again bowing to Charlotte. Charlotte bows back
"This is great. Having two Masters will really help us. But even so I realize you two are being forced into this situation. Even so, I'll still said it." Roman said to us. "As Master Candidates #20, Tokiwa Sougo and #48, Myokoin Geiz." Geiz and I stand at attention. "If you wish to save Humanity… If you wish to have a future beyond 2018… if you wish to prevent the crowning of Oma Zi-O. Then you two alone must go and face these seven singularities in human history. Are you two prepaired to do this? Can you shoulder the burden of Chaldea and humanity's future?" Roman asks us.
"Of course! To save my Uncle, I will become the greatest and most beloved overlord of all time!" I proclaim. Roman looks at me smiling and nodding.
"If it means changing this worlds future to prevent the day of Oma. Then I will." Geiz states. The day of Oma? I ponder, but my thought is cut off when I see the smiles of Roman and Mash.
"Thank you." Roman thanks. "With those words, our fate has been decided. We will now carry out the Prevention of Humanity as laid out by Olga Marie Animusphere, the out of commision Director of Chaldea." Roman orders. Even if the Director is not with us now. We will save Earth's future! "Our objective is the protection and recovery of human history. Our search will target will be each era's Relic and Grail." Roman said before pulling up the map again. "Our opponent is History itself. Many great Heroic Spirits and legends will stand against you." Roman explains.
"Not to mention the interference of the Time Jackers and possibly even Oma Zi-O of my universe himself." Geiz mentions.
"We'll have to take care of them and the other Universes that we may come across." Tsukuyomi adds. "To prevent Altars from hurting other people and ensuring our safety." Tsukuyomi finishes.
"Right. Challenging them is an act of blasphemy against the past. To save humanity, we must defy human history." Roman said. "But this is the only way to survive. No, the only way to take back the future… No matter what sort of end awaits us." Roman then turns to face us. "To reflect our determination, we shall abandon the original mission name, First Order. This is now Chaldea's last ye- no, original mission..."
"The Grand Order!"
"In the name of magical world's highest order. We will take back the future!" Roman exclaims.
France, Orleans A.D. 1431 We are Observer…
A woman dressed in darkened Saint clothes slams her flag pole into the ground. The ground cracks and crumbles from the impact. "Heed my words..." She begins. "My will creates your body, and your sword creates my destiny." A magic circle appears on the ground before her. "If you heed the Grail's call, and obey my will and reason, then answer me." Magic begins to collect around 7 circles. "I hereby swear. That I shall defeat all evil in the world. But let thine eyes be clouded with the fog of turmoil and chaos. Thou art trapped in a cage of madness, and I the summoner who holds thy chains- Seventh Heaven clad in the great words of power! Come forth the circle of binding, Guardian of the Scales!" She finishes as Magic swirls a dark mage stands behind the woman.
"Ah!" He exclaims as from the circles summons forth 5 figures. The first figure is an androgynous sword weilder, second is a bow woman with what looks like cat ears, third is a man with pale skined and wilding a lance, fourth is a woman dressed in sain clothing and carrying a cross staff, fifth and finally is a woman with a mask covering her face, and dressed in a medieval dress with metal thorns across the dress she weilds with her a coffin with chain wrapped around it.
"Thank you for coming, my fellow Servants." The Saint dressed woman greets. "I am your master. You know why you were summoned, yes? Destruction and slaughter, those are your orders." She commands beginning to walk towards the Servants. "If a city is reveling in spring, destroy it. If a town is celebrating spring, devastate it." She stops pacing and turns to a statue of glass image of god, the light shines down on her but the glass is cracked and distorts the light. "No matter how evil or cruel, God will forgive your every transgression. Should He mete out punishment, that is fine in its own way." She states a smile forming upon her face. "For this is no more than a means of proving God's existence and His love." She said turning her attention to the Caster standing in the back, she walks over to her. "Now, then, Gilles. Please bring him here." She commands.
"As you Wish." Gilles responds.
"I trust you have not harmed him, Gilles?" The Saint asks Gilles.
"No, of course not. Have you considered what you wish done with him?" Caster asks a calm smile forming on his face. The Saint ponders to find an answer. "Oh, my. Do you require suggestions from me?" Gilles asks a creepy smile beginning to form.
"Oh, you have noticed my distress in you're infinite concern for me?" The Saint asks. "Don't be absurd. If you continue this foolishness, I'll kill you, Gilles." She casually threatens. "When you are eating a meal, do you think about how you use your fork? This is the same. What I do with him is a matter so trivial it does not merit any thought." She compares. Gilles bows before a magic circle appears on the ground, an old man dressed in Christan attire appears clenching a cross in his hands.
"Wh-What's going on? Where am I, and who are you people?!" The man demands. "Answer me! Are you deaf? You their- Eep!" The man is frozen in fear upon the sight of the woman.
"Oh, Pierre! Bishop Pierre Chauchon! How I have missed you! A day has not gone by when your face has not crossed the mind of Jeanne d'Arc!" Jeanne exclaims.
"It can't be. It can't be, It can't be, It can't be, It can't be!" Pierre denies, he is flabbergasted. "Y-Y-Y-You're- Jeanne d'Arc?! Impossible! This can't be possible?!" He exclaims. "I thought you died three days ago! I thought I killed you! I thought-" He begins, for Jeanne to cut him off.
""That you should be in Hell?" Perhaps I am, Your Grace." Jeanne answers.
"This is a dream. A nightmare. What else could it be but a nightmare!" Pierre exclaims quivering in fear.
"Oh dear, he's started to flee from reality. This won't do at all. We must snap him out of this." Gilles said, before he proceeds to slap Pierre.
"Aiiee! E-E-Eeeee!" Pierre screeches out, in the literal slap to reality he finds himself in.
"What will you do, Your Grace?" Jeanne asks. "Jeanne d'Arc, whom you accused of heresy, stands before you. Should you not grip your crucifix and offer up a prayer to God?" Jeanne walks slowly towards Pierre. "Should you not mock me? Scorn me? Abuse me? Trample me? And tell everyone the wicked Jeanne d'Arc is here!" Jeanne shouts as she slams her foot into the ground before Pierre. "Should you not roar like the brave lion you are?! Go on, do it! Do it! Do it!" She shouts.
"Spa-" Pierre mutters.
"Spa?" Jeanne asks. Pierre begins to cry wildly as he gets on his knees before Jeanne.
"S-Spare me… Please spare me! I'll do anything! Spare me, I beg of you!" Pierre begs, all this makes Jeanne crack a smile before she begins laughing.
"-Ha ha ha ha ha! Did you hear that, Gilles?" Jeanne laughs before kicking Pierre to the ground. ""Spare me, spare me," he said! This bishop who tied me up, mocked me, and burned me alive! As if that were nothing!" Jeanne turns her attention back to the Bishop. "The bishop who told me with kind eyes, that I was going to be killed. Is now begging for his life!" Jeanne stares at Pierre with cold dead eyes. "Oh- The sadness is making me want to cry. After all, that won't save anything. Your paper-thin faith won't reach the Heavenly Father. Belief that is light as a feather won't blossom anywhere. Someone who has forsaken God, and clings to his life by begging a witch, is unfit to be called a believer." Jeanne smiles. "Do you understand, Your Grace? You just gave testimony that you are now one of the heretics. That's why I'm so sad. I think I might laugh until madness consumes me." Jeanne readies something. "Now, think back, Your Grace. You know what sentence awaists heretics, don't you?" Jeane asks.
"..." Pierre ponders before it dawns on him. He gets on his knees again and begs. "N-No, no, no! Spare me… Please, spare me!" He begs.
"I'm so sorry, I'm afraid I ran out of salvation today. Indulgences are not for sale in this era." Jeanne said before a devilish smile forms. "Now… Shall we start at your feet? If I was burned alive by holy flames… Then your body shall be scorched by the flames of Hell." Jeanne then snaps her fingers. Pierre bursting into flames.
"AAAAAAHHHH~!" Pierre screams out, he stands up to run but trips himself. "AAAhhh~...ahh...ah..." Pierre's flaming body goes limp as his body is reduced to nothing.
"... Not even the ashes remain, I see. I apologise for taking up your time, Gilles." Jeanne apologies turning back to Gilles.
"What do you mean? That was a meaningful punishment." Gilles said to Jeanne. "Now what should we do with the other clergy?" Gilles asks.
"Good question, it's too much to question them all. Just feed the clergy to them." Jeanne said turning back to the Servants who bore witness to the burning of Pierre. "Rejoice, my ignoble Servants! The surviving clergy are yours. I, your Master, Jeanne d'Arc shall forgive you all." Jeanne orders a smile on her face. "Devour their souls. Feast on their flesh. Savor their blood. After all, our manifestation is no different than that devil, Dracul." She said before turning away. "I have but one order. Wipe out this country, this mistake that is France. Overrun it, trample it, reap it. Let us begin with our dear Orleans. We shall return it's fruitful land to a bare wasteland. Age, gender, and religious beliefs are of no importance. Make sure you kill them equally. That is the only order I give you as your Master. To that end, I have given you all the attributes of a Berserker. You may be a saint, or a hero, but now you shall dance with your broken soul." Jeanne finishes. "Berserk Saber. Berserk Archer. Berserk Lancer. Berserk Lancer. Berserk Rider. Berserk Caster. Berserk Assassin. And him, whom I summoned instead of Berserker, and myself. I shall pass down judgement as this world's Ruler. Humanity has no value, for it failed to prove it love for our Lord. They are guilty to a horrifying extent. Humanity is equally guilty, sinner and saint alike. So we shall kill them all. I will not tolerate a single one escaping." Jeanne finishes.
"Oh… Oh! Such resolve! Such truth without the slightest doubt!" Caster exclaims with joy. "Such is the saint of salvation! The saint who believes in our Lord, and saves our people!" Caster wells with excitement and stares upon Jeanne. "You have returned… My light has returned… You have truly been reborn, Jeanne! Then I too, shall rise again as your general! First, we need a symbol… Our army must have a flag!" Caster begins to ponder ideas aloud. "Jeanne, what shall we use as our emblem? A demon, perhaps? Or what about-" Jeanne cuts in.
"In that case, let's make it a dragon. Be it coincidence or providence, this summoning has brought many with close ties to dragons." Jeanne suggests. "In the name of Dragons, the symbol of catastrophe, we will burn this world to the ground." Jeanne proclaims, she then turns to her Servants. "Oh, I have one more order. Laugh. As if you are enjoying yourselves from "the bottom of your heart." Heh heh heh." Jeanne lets out a laugh that echos throught the room. "Wonderful! This is wonderful, Gilles! I've never enjoyed myself this much in my entire life!" Jeanne let's out.
"Yes- Yes, I suppose it is. That is the way it should be." Caster expresses, Caster then turns his attention back to the broken glass panel. "You were put on a pedestal, made a symbol, exploited, and cast aside by the people..." Caster then turns to Jeanne. "That is why you are righteous. There is no one who could pass judgement over your heart of hearts!" Caster excitedly exclaims, footsteps echo into the room.
"Oh? A visitor? Who are you?" Jeanne asks, stepping into the room everyone is off put by the presence of the man. Oma Zi-O looks at the Servants in the room. Oma Zi-O is followed behind by Woz who smiles looking at the room.
"Yes… You are righteous in burning France, Jeanne." Oma Zi-O voices as he walks towards Jeanne, his dark and ominous presence makes all but Gilles and Jeanne step back in fear. Oma Zi-O stands before Jeanne. Oma Zi-O's 6'1" figure looms over Jeanne's 5'2", Jeanne and Oma Zi-O stare down each other.
"And who the hell… Are you?" Jeanne asks. Oma Zi-O simply stands straight, as Woz opens his book.
"Iwae! Reaching beyond space and time, reigning over the past and future: The Ultimate Ruler of Time and all Kamen Riders! His name is Oma Zi-O!" Woz introduced, closing the sides of the book shut.
"Okay… Oma Zi-O. To what do I owe your… arrival?" Jeanne asks. Oma Zi-O let's out a silent chuckle. Oma Zi-O snaps his fingers, portals appear behind as two armored figures step out, behind stands a large force of robotic soldiers.
"Allow me to grant you the gift of destruction." Oma Zi-O explains to Jeanne.
We are Sougo
I open my eyes to the roof of the room. Soon after the commencing of the Grand Order, we all called it a day and we retired to our rooms. Geiz and Tsukuyomi were given rooms to sleep in, and I just went back to my room and passed out. What…? "Fou? Kyu, fou?" I look at my chest to see Fou sitting on my chest, rubbing the back of his ears.
"Morning Fou… a good night's rest really helps the mind." I mutter sitting up, Fou jumping down to my knees.
"Mew, fou! Kyau, kyau!" Fou exclaims before jumping off my bed to the table next to me. I sit up and stretch, just as the door to my room opens. Mash steps in.
"Good morning, Senpai. It's finally time for the breifi- Eek!" Mash is cut off as Fou jumps onto Mash and to her shoulder, rubbing his head against Mash's cheek.
"Kyuuu..." Fou purrs. At least I think that's purr?
"I'm sorry, Fou, I couldn't get out of the way. Still, I'm glad to see you so full of energy in the morning." Mash said rubbing Fou's cheek with a finger. "You too, Senpai. Did you sleep well last night?" Mash asks me. I stand up and stretch.
"Like a log." I respond still stretching.
"I'm glad to hear it. They said it takes talent to get a good night's sleep." Mash explains. Is it? I guess it can be difficult to sleep properly I guess. "I know you just woke up, but it's briefing time. We should hurry. I leave you to get ready." Mash said before she goes to leave the room. I stand up and I head to the bathroom. A quick brush and shower later, I change into my uniform. I finish step out in my uniform and the doors open, I'm face to face with Charlotte.
"Hmm? Oh, good morning Charlotte-san." I greet Charlotte as she bows to greet me.
"Good morning to you too, Sougo-kun. How are you this morning?" Charlotte asks me.
"Good. What brings you here? Shouldn't you be with Geiz?" I ask Charlotte as I grab the Ziku Driver and Zi-O Ride Watch off from the desk in the conner of the room. "Or did Geiz ask you to keep an eye on me?" I ask again, looking to Charlotte.
"Ah, yes. He has asked me to keep an eye on you." Charlotte answers. Figures. "But, he requested I be ready to kill you at any moment. But I didn't see the purpose of doing that. I simply dropped by the door to see if you did anything." Charlotte explains, that eases me. Oh good. "But I have to go. See you in the briefing room." Charlotte said before disappearing into the air. I think I'll keep quiet about this… I figure Geiz might become even more wary of me if I do tell him.
Command room…
I enter the Command room to see Tsukuyomi, Geiz, Charlotte, Roman, and Da Vinci discussing. At the front, I see familiar figure standing at the director's chair. Someone that disappeared yesterday. "Director! Are you okay?" I ask walking over. She looks at me… then her watch… then to me again. Huh? She lets out a disappointed sigh. D-Did I do something wrong?
"Yes, I'm fine." Director informs me, she glances at her watch again. "I need some time to myself to put my thoughts together. But even so, you're late!" She exclaims pointing at me. I am? I look at the clock. Can thi- My thought is cut off by Director. "The fate of the world rests on you and Geiz. Slacking will get you killed Sougo!" Director points out, I stand at attention.
"Y-Yes mam! I'll do better!" I exclaim.
"Fine. I'm expecting that from you." Director said returning her attention back to the front. "Roman, everyone's here. Let us begin the briefing." Director said, everyone forms up. "Let's go over everything again. First, the investigation and correction of the singularities. It is humanity's critical turning points in the Era." Director explains.
"If it were not for that, we could never have come as far as we have. It is the pivotal "event" in human history." Roman explains walking over.
"Right. You must travel to that era, investigate what it is, figure it out, and then correct it." Director said. "Otherwise, 2019 will never come. Humanity will be extinct in 2018. You're second objective is to investigate the "Holy Grail." For now it's only speculation, but the singularities must be related to the Holy Grail." Director said.
"The "Holy Grail" is a relic that can grant wishes. A vessel that contains tremendous amounts of magical energy." Da Vinci explains. "Leff probably got his grubby little hands on the Grail in some form, and misused its power." Da Vinci said with disgust.
"That being said. It's impossible to travel through time and change the past without the Grail. Seriously. You will run into intel regarding the Grail during your investigation of the singularity." Roman explain.
"Even if you correct history, leaving the Grail in the past will undo all our work." Director said. "Thus, if you come across it. You must secure the Holy Grail, or if worse comes to worse. Destroy the Grail." Director orders us. "Any questions?" Director asks us. I look at the others, they look set.
"None." I said.
"Good." Director responds.
"There's one other thing I want you to do in addition to the mission." Roman said walking over to us. "That said, it's nothing major. It's for after you travel into that era. I want you guys to find a leyline and make a summoning circle. It's not for communication, it's to transport supplies back and forth if necessary." Roman explains before looking at Mash. "Just find the Leyline, and Mash can handle the rest. As her Noble Phantasm will act as a catalyst and trigger the summoning circle." Roman said.
"Right. Once you do, if need be. You can summon Servants at will." Director said.
"Of course, what you will summon will probably be Servants closely tied to that time and place." Da Vinci explains. "Doing so will help you bolster your forces. Are we clear?" Da Vinci asks us.
"Roger. Before that, we'll try to establish a base camp first." Tsukuyomi said.
"What we'll need is a place to relax, a structure with a roof, a home to come back to. Right, Master?" Mash ask me, I nod.
"Yup, I'll be counting on you Mash." I tell her, Mash blushes.
"H-Hearing you said that, really means a lot to me." Mash said, she smiles at me. "I know I'm still an inexperienced Servant, but you all can count on me. I'll be giving it my all!" Mash proclaims.
"Don't forget I'm new to the Kamen Rider thing. So we can learn the ropes together!" I tell Mash, I look over at Geiz. "So let's do our best together!" I tell Geiz, he looks back at me and scoffs. Not quite there yet… I'm probably far off actually… Roman chuckles.
"Umhm. To see Mash, who's serious, quiet, and frankly, and kind of mysterious, growing up to be such a fine lady." Roman mutters.
"Now is not the time for such things Roman!" Director exclaims.
"Ah, sorry director." Roman apologies.
"Now… We have identified the first singularity. You 5 will now enter the Singularity understood?" Director asks. We all stand at attention. "Good. You will board your Time Mazines and enter the first Singularity. The one we have discovered is the one with the least fluctuations. You're first objective once you land is to create a base camp and find a leyline." Director orders. "We'll be able to more clearly communicate with you." Director said walking over to me and handing me a Faiz Phone X. "This will be of use to you. Use it." Director said, I nod as I take the phone. "Good, with that all settled. You have you're orders. I expect you all to carry yourselves accordingly. Be ready for anything. That is all. You have you're orders. Good luck." Director wishes us.
"Good luck, now go on and get ready to go." Roman said before we leave.
We are Olga
The team leaves, Roman and Da Vinci take their post. I walk to the Director's chair, taking a seat… To think I let Leff in this chair… I think back to all the time we had spent in the past. Was it all really just a lie? Or was there really a Leff before all of it… Father… A cold feeling wraps around me. "Director?" One of the staff said getting my attention. "The team is ready to go." The Staff inform me. Now… Now is not the time…
"Okay then." I said standing up. "Now, beginning the Grand Order. Zi-O, Geiz. Launch!" I order.
"Launching!" Geiz responds.
"We got this! We'll take care of the Singularity!" Sougo responds.
"Time Space Drive. Activate!" Sougo and Geiz said in synch, as a time portal appears in front of their machines and they fly though. Right now I need to focus on this… Focus… Focus.
France, Orleans A.D. 1431 We are Sougo
We land and step out of our Time Mazines. "...sigh. We managed to reach here safely, Senpai." Mash informs me as I look out across a large span grass hills. "We were teleported by accident last time. This time it's a proper teleport via the Time Mazine with no physical anomalies." Mash notes.
"Fou! Fou! Fou!" Fou exclaims jumping on my shoulder.
"Fou? Did you tag along again?" Mash asks.
"I've been meaning to ask but just what is that thing?" Geiz asks. "And you named it Fou?" Geiz ponders.
"I didn't name it. Mash did. It's simple, but I like it." I express rubbing the little guy's chin. Fou seems to like my comment rubbed his cheek against mine. "And as to Mash's question. Fou here seemed to have snuck onto the Time Mazine before we launched." I hypothesise, Fou then turns and jumps off my shoulder and onto Mash.
"Luckily, Fou was unharmed." Mash smiles. "Since he is attached to one of us, when we return he will automatically return as well." Mash explains to us.
"So no problems then." I said.
"Yes. We share the same fate." Mash said. Tsukuyomi walks over to look at Fou, Fou looks at her before Fou jumps at Tsukuyomi. Surprised, Tsukuyomi puts out her hands and catches for in her hands. Tsukuyomi stares at Fou for a moment, she smiles.
"It doesn't look to be a problem at all Geiz. So don't worry about it. The little guy is cute too!" Tsukuyomi said petting Fou with happy sounds coming from him. It's then that we hear a beep.
"Master. It looks like the Time Mazine has the time axis coordinates." Mash informs me. I walk back into the Mazine to confirm. I see the date and coordinates.
"So this is France, Orleans. If the date listed in the Time Mazine is any indication." I said stepping out of the Time Mazine. "It's June 2nd 1431, the middle of the Hundred Years' War. But around this time should be during the War's respite period." I explain.
"A Respite? In the middle of a war?" Geiz asks.
"Right, Geiz-san. The Hundred Years' War did not fight for the full 100 years as the name implies." Mash explains to Geiz. Why this time and Era? "The war during this era was pretty carefree, relatively speaking. Captured knights were released for monetary payments almost everyday… Senpai?" Mash asks me getting my attention.
"Huh? Oh, sorry. I'm just wondering what event caused this singularity… It can't be the war… Or..." I ponder. June 2nd… I know something big happened in May… Ah! "Jeanne d'Arc." I mutter. Everyone looks at me confused. "May 30th 1431 it's been 3 days since Jeanne d'Arc was burned at the stake." I explain. "She was burned as a heretic despite being innocent. Could something have happened?" I ponder, pacing to think.
"Wait. But it's only been a day since the Grand Order began. We weren't even in Fuyuki that long." Mash asks, she looks at Geiz. "Could it really have been 3 days?" Mash asks.
"Well that's just it. This is a singularity, it's a piece of time that's been cut off from the timeline." Tsukuyomi explains. "It's not too far of a stretch that a singularity like this would have time flow differently than Fuyuki or Chaldea's." Tsukuyomi explains. Ah… I was wondering about that myself.
"So this Jeanne d'Arc. You saiding something might have happened to her?" Geiz asks me, I look at him and shrug. "Figures. We just got here… I guess we should-" Geiz goes silent as his eyes gaze up at the sky. Hmm? I turn my gaze to the sky. What's… whoa…
"Senpai?" Mash asks me.
"Look up at the sky." I said as we all turn our attention to the sky.
"What the..." Tsukuyomi mutters.
"Oh my..." Charlotte mutters.
"What's… huh?" Mash mutters.
"Yes! We're connected! Not the best quality, but I've got a video feed now too!" Roman said appearing in a video call.
"See? I told you using the Faiz Phone X as a beacon was a good idea." Da Vinci comments.
"Cut the chatter you two. Ground team. Report…" Director asks, we're still stuck staring at the sky. "Report!" Director orders, Mash snaps out and taps me on the shoulder, gesturing me to take out the Faiz Phone.
"Command, we'll send you visuals." Mash said as I hand her the Faiz Phone X, and she activate the live camera function. "Command, what is that?" Mash asks, as we look at a weird second horizon in the middle of the sky.
"This is-" Roman pauses.
"Some kind of Ring? A right of light?" Director comments. "Da Vinci! Is that some kind of magecraft cast over satellite orbit?" Director asks Da Vinci.
"Not sure Director. In any case it's gigantic. At worse, it's size seems to be comparable to North America?" Da Vinci analyses. "Hmmm… No record shows such a phenomena occurring in 1431." Da Vinci comments.
"No doubt that it's a reason for our future disappearing." Director hypothesis. "We'll have to analyze it on our end… Till then concentrate on surveying the area. Start by searching for leylines." Director orders.
"Director? This is just a hypothesis, but I believe something might have happened with Jeanne d'Arc's history." I said to the Director turning to look at the video.
"Explain." Director orders.
"Well, Director. The date listed is June 2nd 1431. It's been 3 days since Jeanne d'Arc was burned at the stake on May 30th." I explain to her. "So couple that, with the thing in the sky, and this time being in the middle of the Hundred Year war. I believe an alteration to these events might have caused this singularity." I finish explaining to her. Director takes it in and considers it.
"Understood. But we'll know more. Right now focus on finding that Leyline." Director reminds, I nod and turn to leave. "I'm surprised though. Didn't take you for a history buff." Director comments, I smile.
"It's one of the few subjects I excelled at Director." I tell her, she nods before the call ends. I walk over to join Geiz. "I guess we should get going now." I tell him, Geiz nods before he reaches to grab the Bike watch. "Ah, hold on. Maybe we should walk." I tell Geiz who looks at me confused.
"Why? It's saves energy and we'll find the leyline faster." Geiz explains.
"Yeah, but at the same time. It's 1431, no one knows what a Motorbike is. It's probably best that we don't pull it out, only in emergencies should we use our bikes. Less we become witches or wizards in the eyes of the people here." I argue against Geiz, who looks at me even more confused.
"It's not like people are going to catch up to us, moreover. Do you think people are that crazy?" Geiz asks me.
Tsukuyomi steps in. "Did he not just said that Jeanne d'Arc was burned at the stake for something she never did?" Tsukuyomi points out, Geiz freezes. He drops his hand away from the Bike Ride Watch.
"Fair… Point." Geiz mutters, he then turns to Charlotte. "Assassin, scout ahead and tell us if you see anything." He orders, Charlotte immediately points at something. I look over to see what she's pointing at. "I told you to go ahead, not point ahead." He mutters.
"No, look it's looks like a French Scout brigade." Charlotte points out, we all see a small scout party walking down the road. Huh… Lucky find.
"Oh." Geiz mutters.
"What should we do? Should we make contact?" Mash asks.
"They could just attack us." Tsukuyomi points out.
"They look like humanoids. I'm sure we can come to a peaceful resolution." Mash said walking towards the party. Is everyone forgetting it's 1431? "Hello, excuse me. We are travelers-" The Scouts turn at look at Mash with us joining her. He goes silent. Uh… Odd reaction.
"Excuse me-" Charlotte begins to ask when.
"Eek! Enemy attack! Enemy attack!" The Scout said pulling his sword. Mash immediately blocks with her shield. Okay that's a weird reaction!? Geiz and I immediately put on our Belts and we take out our watches.
"Yoo-hoo, I'm free now so lemme see how you're… Wait, why are you surrounded by an armed group?!" Roman asks confused.
"Ground team?! What the hell happened?!" Director demands a response.
"...I apologise. My mistake. I should've greeted them in French." Mash apologies.
"I don't think that was the problem!" Geiz said as he dodges a sword, disarming the scout and knocking him to the ground. "But at this point, it's just a fight now!" Geiz exclaims before he throws a punch at another Scout.
"You're starting a fight? With French elites, even!" Roman asks, I duck under a punch before Tsukuyomi shoots the scout with the Faiz Phone X knocking the Scout out. Right! The weapon can stun! I take out my Faiz Phone X and begin shooting. "W-Well, let's calm down first! That world is isolated. No matt-" Director then cuts Roman off.
"Now is not the time! Disarm or knock them out!" Director orders.
"I'm hearing silly voices from somewhere… All hands, ready you're weapons! They're too suspicious!" The Scout team leader orders.
"Assassin, see if there are anymore coming. If not, then come back around behind and knock them out." Geiz orders, Charlotte nods and jumps into action. "Mash, front and center! Me, Tsukuyomi, and Zi-O will cover you with our Faiz Phone X's." Geiz orders while taking out his Faiz Phone X.
"Right!" Mash said blocking a blade, before Geiz stun shots the Scout. The battle is short and quick, Mash blocks, we stun, then later Charlotte appears knocking the scouts in the back of the group. In a short time, we've beaten back the scout party. You know… For our first fight in this singularity, this was alright… But still. "Sigh… Physical fatigue aside, the mental fatigue is overwhelming." Mash mutters, I walk over to her.
"Good job using that shield of yours to take them down." I commend Mash, she smiles and nods.
"I didn't even know that was possible with a shield. I learned something today." Mash said before we hear quick scurrying and we look to see the scout party running.
"It seems like that armor of theirs softened the blow of our stun weapons." Geiz comments.
"They're retreating." Tsukuyomi said.
"They look to be heading towards a fort." Charlotte comments.
"Ground Team this is command. Quitely chase after them and find out what's going on. And try and not to turn it into a fight." Director recommends.
"Try and talk to them in French then. Bonjour." Da Vinci teases. Are we gonna be okay?
French Fort...
We stare at the Fort… Or at least… The remains of one… The walls are broken, patch work bridges, the gate is busted in, zombie like french troops line the towers. "This is… Awful, isn't it?" Mash comments. I stare at the Fort, seeing all the people inside. Their injured, fatigued, hungry, not to mention the bodies.
"Yeah… It really is." I mutter.
"Something wrong?" Tsukuyomi asks me.
"No, nothing it's just… Hey, Tsukuyomi? Geiz?" I ask the two, as they turn to me. "Does my… Future self, push you guys into a state like this?" I ask the two, the two nod at me.
"Yup. Pretty much any kind of defence we set up is always torn down. It never ends with the injured." Geiz answers, hearing that alone makes me angry inside. If that alternate future me is really like this… Then what caused me to hate people like that so much? I ponder.
"At this point, the Fort isn't even a fort. Complete ruin on the inside, and more or less intact wall on the outside." Roman updates us on the details.
"Still, this shouldn't be too weird right? Considering the war and all?" Geiz asks, Mash looks at him and shakes his head.
"No, that's not possible. In 1431, Charles VII of France entered a peace treaty with Phillip III, an ally of England." Mash informs Geiz.
"Granted, it's possible that there could still be some skirmishes-" I being to said before I hear a scream.
"Argh! Here they come again!" The leader of the scout party exclaims. We all stand up and approach the scout party.
"Bonjour. We are travelers." Mash Greets. "We are not here to harm you. Please put down your weapons, monsieur." Mash explains to the soldier. The soldier seems to calm down.
"You're not… The enemy?" The soldier asks us. Oh good. We can talk.
"Hm, that was rather easy. Perhaps they're rational now. Or..." Roman mutters.
"They don't have any fight in them?" Tsukuyomi wonders.
"What's happening? Why didn't Charles VII sign the peace treaty?" Mash asks the soldier. The soldier looks at Mash surprise clearly on his face.
"King Charles? So you don't know?" The soldier said. "The king is dead." Soldier states. What? King Charles is dead?! "He was burned by a witch's flames." The soldier explains. Witch? I don't remember a Witch being around in this time period. Or at least of note. Mash, Geiz, Tsukuyomi, Charlotte, and I all share a glance of confusion. "It's "Jeanne d'Arc." She has risen again as the "Dragon Witch." She's the one who killed the King." The soldier said.
"Jeanne d'Arc? She… has been brought back?" I mutter.
"Looks like you were right on you're theory." Geiz mutters.
"Not exactly happy to be right about that." I mutter back to him.
"England retreated quite a while ago. But, where do we have to run to?" The soldier said looking down at the ground. "This is our home, but there's nothing we can do." The soldier mutters. Nowhere to go… They still have pride in their nation, they just can't bring themselves to leave. We hear footsteps behind us, we turn around. "Here! They are here!" The soldier shouts as they run into the castle to gather the troops.
"Magical energy signals are heading here, Familiars created using human bodies… skeleton soldiers." Roman explains to us. Right, just like the skeletons in Fuyuki.
"Hold on, Ground team. I'm noticing something else." Da Vinci cuts in. "I'm detecting mechanical units on the ground." Da Vinci warns us, we look at the skeletons lining the hills, there are also… Robot?! "We have a match! Their Namba Industries Autonomous Combat Units: Guardians, from Build's universe." Da Vinci tells us. Sento-san's universe?
"Then it's Rider time." I said looking at Geiz who looks at me and nods in agreement.
"Right, all of these enemies aren't alive. All of you can be as wild as you want!" Roman tells us.
"Okay, Master! Geiz-san. I'll cover you transform!" Mash said as she steps forwards to protect us.
"I'll make sure no one gets you from behind Mash-chan." Charlotte said appearing behind a Guardian and cutting it's head clean off. Tsukuyomi also steps aside Mash and shoots with her Faiz Phone X destroying one of the Skeleton soldiers.
"Don't forget about me either!" Tsukuyomi exclaims, as she shoots and kills another Skeleton soldier, I take out my Ride Watch and turn the face to the Rider Face. Geiz and I activate our Watches.
"Zi-O!" "Geiz!" We insert the Watches into the drivers, tilting the belt face. "Henshin!" We shout spinning the belt. The gong of the bell rings. "Rider Time!" The Kanji flies out as the armor appears on us. "Kamen Rider~! Zi-O!" "Kamen Rider! Geiz!" The armor completes as the words attach to our visior. The two of us take out our weapons.
"Zi-O, the robots are yours, the skeletons are mine." Geiz said charging in, he takes out his Axe. He jumps up and slams his axe down, cutting down a Skeleton Soldier. Okay then I guess. I take out my blade and tilt the blade back.
"Zikan Girade! Zyu!" A barrel revealed at the bottom of the blade itself. The blade also shrinks to hand gun size. That's… Interesting. A blade swings down at me, I dodge back and shoot down a Guardian in it's head. It drops to the ground limb. Okay... The head got it. I begin shooting at the Guardians… with terrible aim. Damn it! I look at the Watch slot on my gun, then my eyes fall on Geiz who cuts down another skeleton… Cross-Z.
"Geiz! Let me borrow the Cross-Z Ride Watch!" I shout to him, a Guardian gets up close, I slam kick the Guardian back away from me.
"What? Why should I?" Geiz asks me before I point to the Guardians in the back. Geiz looks at them before he looks at me and takes of the Cross-Z Ride Watch. "Don't lose it!" Geiz exclaims as he tosses the watch to me. I catch it and turn the face of the Ride Watch.
"Don't worry! This is far too important to lose!" I exclaim activating the watch.
"Cross-Z!" I insert the watch into the gun. "FInish Time!" I take aim as a Dragon collects around the barrel. Let's try this! I pull the trigger. "Cross-Z! Sure Sure Shooting!" The Dragon flies out blasting past skeletons and into the back. An explosion sends the Guardians in the back flying into the sky. Whoa this has a lot of power!
"Thanks, Geiz! I think I can handle this now! Here!" I exclaim throwing back the Cross-Z Ride Watch back to Geiz. Geiz catches the watch and inserts it into his axe.
"Finish Time!" Geiz readies his stance, as he does Skeletons surround him. "Cross-Z! Zakkuri Cutting!" Geiz spins his axe in a circle a ring of energy flies out destroying the Skeletons around him. Nice! I really need to ask him for training if I can get the chance. I turn back to the battle as I switch back to my blade. "Ken!" I'm not confident in my range, but in close I can certainly do! I swing cutting a Guardian down the side of its body. Mash drops in smashing a Guardian behind me.
"Senpai! I have your back!" Mash exclaims.
"Thanks! Let's do this!" I exclaim back as we proceed to take down the Guardians around us. Geiz and Tsukuyomi finish mopping up the last of the Skeletons, just as Mash and I destroy the last Guardian. We look around to see if anymore are coming… None… I twist the crown on my helmet and the helmet disappears. "Whew~" I lower my weapon.
"...Phew. Good work." Mash congratulates. Geiz and Tsukuyomi join us, Geiz removes his helmet and looks down at the robots, his face is puzzled which is to be expected.
"Still… Where did these robots come from?" Geiz asks wondering.
"No way those should exist here… You think the Time Jackers gave Jeanne these robots?" I suggest to the team, everyone thinks on the possibility. "Ah, heads up guys. The soldier from before." I said as the soldier we met earlier approaches us.
"You guys, I can't believe you took them on." He expresses in surprise.
"... We're used to it. Anyway I'm sorry, but could you please explain this from the start?" Mash asks the soldier. Yeah… There are a lot a questions I'd like to ask.
"Is it true that Jeanne d'Arc has been resurrected?" I ask the soldier, he gives a solid nod.
"Yes. I took part in the siege of Orleans and the ceremony, so I remember it well." The soldier explains, he reaches into his shirt and takes out a Cross Necklace. "Her hair and skin color are different, but there's no question that she's the saint from the past." The soldier explains clenching the Cross in his hand. "Hearing that she'd been captured by the English and burned at the stake, we trembled in fury. But- she was resurrected. And though a pact with the devil, no less!" Soldier exclaims. This makes us all exchange a glance to each other.
"What do you mean the Devil? Like the skeleton and robot soldiers earlier?" I ask the soldier.
"Whats a robot?" He asks me. Right, 1431 forgot that. "Anyways, not those. At least we can handle those ourselves." The soldier explains, when a roar can be heard behind us. "Dammit, just as I thought! Here they come, engage!" The soldier exclaim before he turns and runs into the fort. "Come on, stand up! Dragons are here! If you don't resist, they'll eat you!" Geiz and I put our helmets back on.
"Ground team! Scanners show Large creatures moving towards you, fast!" Director updates us.
"Visual confirmed! But that… It can't be." Mash exclaims as we stare at dragons. Holy crap! Actual dragon?! No… Wait, those look more like… "Those are Wyverns!" Mash exclaims.
"Their what?" Tsukuyomi asks me.
"Wyverns, a subspecies of dragons… But that's not possible. They shouldn't even be here in 15th Century France!" Mash exclaim. Well they look ready to eat us! I ready my weapon.
"Master, respond with full force! This is different from those old bones from earlier!" Mash exclaims. Just then a figure runs in and stops besides us. I look to see who it is- What?
"Soldiers, douse yourself with water! You can momentarily defend against their flames!" The woman exclaims, carrying her flag and stabbing it into the ground. She points to a soldier getting his bearings. "You there! Please pick up a weapon and fight! Together with me! With me-!" She exclaimed.
"This is..." Mash mutters.
"Now is not the time to worry about that! She's a Servant, but what matters is that you take down those Wyverns!" Director orders.
"Roger!" Tsukuyomi exclaims before shooting at the Wyverns, I switch my sword to gun mode. Geiz takes out his Ghost Ride Watch and turns the Watch face.
"Ghost!" Geiz incerts the watch into his belt tilts the face and spin the belt. "Armor Time! Kaigan! Ghost!" The armor attaches to Geiz as he floats into the air. Geiz then battles the Wyverns in the air. Ah… Well, then me too! I grab and take out the Build Ride Watch, turning the face and activating the watch. "Build!" I insert the watch into my belt, tilting the face then spinning the belt. "Armor Time!" The armor attaches onto me and I take aim. Calculating trajectory… I aim and fire, the round flies into a Wyvern's eye. The round flies into the brain of the Wyvern as it falls to the ground. I don't know if the scales of the Wyvern are strong enough to deflect bullets, but I can aim for the weak spots in the gaps! I take aim and shoot another Wivern down.
"Senpai! Behind you!" Mash exclaimed as she blocks a Wyvern's drop attack on me. I immediately respond by shooting the Wyvern in the eye, it goes limp and falls to the ground, falling on Mash.
"Mash! Are you okay!?" I exclaim before Mash tosses aside the body.
"Yeah, I'm okay. I've got your back, Senpai!" Mash exclaims, I back up close to Mash.
"And mine with yours!" I exclaim as the two of us begin watching each other's back as Geiz cuts down Wyverns in the air, and Tsukuyomi shoots any that get close to the Fort. Charlotte appears above the Wyverns stabbing and cutting off the wings and dropping the Wyverns to the ground. Thus letting blond woman along with those who follow kill the ones on the ground.
We are Observer
Overlooking the battle, a demon like creature, with all black skin, with red outlines, along with silver horns stares down at the battle. "So… That's the Overlord when he was Younger?" The demon asks staring down at Sougo. "Yes, their is no mistaking it." A man with brown hair, brown eyes, and dressed in a suit and tie responds.
"What do you think of him… Negataros?" The man asks Negataros, he scoffs as leans against a tree.
"Nothing too special… But I guessing by his future self, he's gotta be hiding some kind of dark side underneath. What about you? Kugai Kudo?" Negataros asks Kudo. Kudo looks down at the battle before looking down at a Lock with the look of a pomegranate listed as: L.S.-MESSIAH.
"What I think of his ability is of little importance. So long as those worthy survive the flames." Kudo said before turning away. "I shall let you handle this." Kudo said as he disappears.
"Sigh~ What a self-righteous cunt..." Negataros said pulling out a train pass in his right hand. "Well, better handle the job that he handed me." Negataros said heading towards the battle just as the last of the Wyverns are being mopped up, in his left hand is a belt.
We are Sougo
"I believe that was the last." Mash said looking around.
"All right, fine job everyone! I was watching with sweaty palms and sweets in my hand!" Roman expresses. True that was kinda sudden. I think to myself as I remove my armor and return to civilian mode.
"Doctor. Those were the sweets that I got, right?" Mash asks Roman with an annoyed face.
"Huh? What? Is that right? I found them in the Command Room next to the tea, so I thought..." Roman mutters.
"Sigh~ I told you Romani. It was best not to touch them if they weren't there before without a note." Director sighs.
"... I got them as a token of gratitude, for when we returned from this Order." Mash exclaims annoyed. "Needless to said, they weren't for you, but for Senpai, Geiz-san, and Tsukuyomi-san who no doubt fought bravely on the frontlines." Mash exclaims.
"Those were? Thank you Mash." Tsukuyomi thanks walking over.
"Mash… you've become such a thoughtful person..." Roman said as he continues to eat the sweets. "I must said, these are some really tasty sweets. I'm sure Sougo, Geiz, and Tsukuyomi will be thrilled, too!" Roman exclaims. Yeah… They sure do look nice.
"If those are for us, please stop eating them." Geiz asks walking over removing his helmet.
"...Master. When we return to Chaldea, please reserve enough combat resources for one attack." Mash asks, before she looks back at Roman with a dark smile. "I've registered one more enemy that I'd like to hit with the "Back of my blade."" Mash said, as I feel a small cold shiver down my back.
"Ground team… Don't worry about that." Director said getting up, grabbing the sweets away from Roman before smacking him across the head. "There. But I do recommend you keep enough for one hit." Director said returning to her chair.
"Thank you Command." Mash expresses, I look at Geiz, Tsukuyomi, and Charlotte. I let out a small chuckle, Tsukuyomi smiles, Charlotte smiles, Geiz is silent but let's a small grin slip though.
"Impossible, you're- No, no way! Run! The witch is here!" The soldier exclaims before running back into the fort and closing the doors leaving us out in the front…
"Um. Thank you very much." The woman thanked us. I walk over to her.
"Thank you as well. You're support was great to have." I said putting out my hand to greet her. "I'm Tokiwa Sougo. Nice to meet you." I said, she looks at my hand before she smiles a little and takes my hand shaking it.
""Ruler." My Servant class is Ruler. My True Name is Jeanne d'Arc." Jeanne greets before we lower our hands. I gesture my hand to the others.
"A Servant? Well, I'm a Master. Let me introduce you to my allies. These are my allies. My Servant/Kouhai, Mashu Kiryulight." I gesture to Mash, she bows to Jeanne. "He's Geiz, a fellow Master and man from the future Ge-" My introduction is cut off my Geiz pushing aside my hand.
"I can introduce myself! It's Geiz. This is my Servant Assassin." Geiz greets both him and Charlotte.
"Nice to meet you Ruler." Charlotte greets.
"Her real name is Charlotte Corday" I tell Jeanne, Geiz immediately grabs my collar.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing just giving my Servants True Name away like that!?" Geiz shouts at me as I try to calm him.
"Geiz. She helped us, I don't think she's the witch that everyone is talking about." I said before Geiz begins to shake me.
"How? How do you know that? Please tell me I'd like to-" Geiz begins before Tsukuyomi cuts in between us.
"Enough you two! Geiz, it's already too late to worry about that now." Tsukuyomi said, Geiz sighs and crosses his arms. I give thanks to her. "My name is Tsukuyomi. Also from the future. I'm not a Master though. But what's going on? ``I thought you died." Tsukuyomi asks Jeanne.
"We'll talk about that later. It is nothing we should speak of in front of them." Jeanne said looking back to the fort. Yeah… If we stay here any longer, we might just be attacked by those who we helped save… "Come over here. Please." Jeanne gestures.
"...I don't trust her." Geiz mutters.
"... Still we've been invited. What should we do, Senpai?" Mash asks me.
"I think we should go with her. I don't think she wants to hurt us." Tsukuyomi expresses.
"Yeah. I agree with that. We should follow her. I don't see any reason why she would lie." I said.
"I agree as well. She looks weakend, but she's a Servant, too." Roman agrees.
"Ground team, she's likely more aware of the situation in this Era. It's best for us if you follow her and ask for details." Director said.
"Then it's decided. We're right behind you Jeanne." I said following after, I look over at Geiz who's still in his Geiz Ghost armor. "Geiz, it's probably best that you take that off." I tell Geiz, he glares at me before sighing.
"Don't order me around." Geiz said before he goes to remove the armor. Was that an order? That was more of a suggestion… Geiz removes both of his watches and puts away his Base Ride Watch. As he goes to put away the Ghost Ride Watch, a figure drops into the former battlefield. Huh?
We see a demon like figure standing in the center. Who is that? He lifts up his left arm showing a belt, he lets the belt go hanging on to one of the straps. Then the figure swings the belt around his waist and connecting the belt. Distorted music begins to play as he lifts up a Train pass to the belt. "Henshin." He said putting the pass to the belt face.
"Nega Form!" The man tosses aside the pass, as what looks like digital clock lines burst out before surrounding the figure in a base suit as armor attaches on. The visior opens and flashes as the armor completes. What the hell?
The Rider has a color pallet of black, silver, white, light blue, purple, and a small bit of gold. The helmet is a on a Rail system, with the mouthpiece also having the design of a rail. The visior is a split peach with the peak of the peach extending out and metal lashes on the bottom. The chest plate is purple with bits of silver at the connections. The chest connects to a central rail going down the chest. Across the chest is a series of wild line designs. The arms have little besides the black undersuit. The gauntlets have some internal silver while the rest is white with the same line pattern on the chest. Nothing noteable on the waist, the legs are silver with some purple on the thigh and the same line work down.
"Who the hell are you?" Geiz ask. The Rider said nothing, but grabs parts on his belt. "He doesn't look friendly!" Geis shouts going to grab his watch as do too. I shouldn't have asked him to untransform! But just as we grab our watch, the Rider has completed his gun. He aims and shoots Geiz's hand knocking the Ghost Ride Watch into the air. Geiz falls to the ground.
"Geiz!" Tsukuyomi and I shout as we run over. Mash and Charlotte block any more incoming fire.
"I'm fine! But the Ride Watch!" Geiz shouts getting back to his feet. The Figure picks up the Ride Watch. "Who the hell are you?!" Geiz shouts, the figure looks at the watch before he chuckles and looks at us.
"Kamen Rider..." He mutters before looking at us. "Nega Den-O." Nega greets tossing the Ghost Ride Watch up and down. "Guess you could said I'm here on a bit of a mission of greetings." Nega said as a portal appears behind. "Boss… No, Sorry. You're highness, welcome." Nega greets as he bows to the figure stepping out of the portal. The atmosphere gets quiet and foreboding as the figure steps out. As the foot of the figure steps to the ground, the grass below his feet begins to die, each step he takes, the ground and the world around him dies. Corpes decay and crumble to ash, Bones gets blown away by the wind, metal overgrows and decays into the earth, grass turns to coarse earth.
"Hello… My Younger Self." Oma Zi-O greets me. I'm at a loss of what to said. My future self? Here? Why?! "I'm here to set the groundwork of course." Oma Zi-O reads my mind, I step back in fear as I stare at myself. "Negataros." Oma Zi-O gestures, as Nega hands the Ghost Ride Watch back to Oma Zi-O. I look at the watch before I look at Geiz, who stands next to me. "Valent to steal this..." Oma Zi-O said he puts out his hand to Geiz, who is lifted off the ground. "But foolish." I mutter.
"Geiz!" I shout, as I try and grab him. But Geiz is lifted high into the air out of our reach. Assassin disappears. "What do you want with us!" I shout to me, Oma Zi-O looks at me and steps out, before he swings his around slamming his fist into Charlotte. Sending her flying. "Charlotte!" I shout.
"A-Aassain!" Geiz squeezes out. I turn to me and I step back for a moment, before charging.
"Henshin!" I shout spinning the face of my belt and transforming. I charge me, taking out my blade. Nega goes to shoot me, but I put up my hand to back off.
"Hmf." Oma Zi-O grunts before he suddenly appears before me. Shi- I disappear as I'm attacked from all sides. I'm then kicked to the ground and a foot is stomped on my chest. "Still much for you to learn. Stand." I said as he gestures his hand at me, I feel some kind of wire wrap around my body as I'm lifted up and put to stand at attention as if I was some kind of puppet. "I will leave it here for today, you have much to do, much to experience..." Oma Zi-O mutters as he snaps his fingers, and Geiz falls down from the sky. I look on as I see Jeanne jump up and catch Geiz, the two land safely on the ground. Oma Zi-O drops his hold on me as I fall to my knees, Oma Zi-O then walks back to the portal he entered from. "Nega, with me." He mutters as the two exit through the portal.
"What power..." I mutter, staring at the ground. I look around to see the destruction that I've left…
"Senpai! Are you okay?" Mash asks running over to me. She reaches down to me, I take her hand as I stand back up. I remove my armor and look back at the dead earth. "That's… The future Senpai..." Mash mutters.
"That… That's our enemy." Geiz said walking over to us.
"Ground team… Whatever Oma Zi-O's plan is, isn't important now." Director orders over the comms. Our eyes fall on Geiz who's visibly disappointed, as if… The loss of the watch was a great loss for him. "Geiz, whatever past you have with that watch. Don't forget that there's always another chance to get it back." Director said to Geiz, he ponders before nodding.
"Yes… Mam." Geiz mutters defeated. I wonder what's the story behind the Ghost Ride Watch? From the looks of it, it seems like he stole it from Me. Looking at Geiz, it's clear that he's saddened. "Come on, let's go." Geiz said leaving. What happened?
Later…
We set up camp deep in the forest. "Yes. I think we can settle down here." Jeanne said as she places her flag next to her. "Still, I'm surprised that there is a Holy Grail War happening now of all times." Jeanne said to us, I wave my hand.
"No, it has nothing to do with that." I said to her.
"Yes, only Geiz-san has a Servant. I am just a Demi-Servant after all." Mash explains, much to Jeanne's visible confusion. "I'm not a true Heroic Spirit. Have you heard of us?" Mash asks Jeanne.
"... Right. We should probably clear that up first." Jeanne said standing up to introduce herself again. "I am indeed a Servant, my class is Ruler. I understand that." She greets before sitting down again to think. "But… A majority of information about the Holy Grail War that should be provided is missing. No, not just information. My stats have ranked down as well." Jeanne explains to us. "Not only that I have lost the Anti-Servant Command Spells, I can't reveal their True Name anymore." Jeanne explains.
"So you're as much in the dark as we are." Tsukuyomi said, Jeanne nods in agreement.
"Yes, luckily this is my homeland, where I was born and raised. If nothing else, I still speak the language." Jeanne said her face flush with embarrassment.
"That soldier earlier said that you had turned into a "Dragon Witch." So who are you?" Geiz asks still suspicious of her.
"Having just materialized a few hours ago, I am not sure what's going on." Jeanne said. What? Only a few hours ago? Then… "I know what you are thinking. It seems there is another Jeanne d'Arc in this world." Jeanne said looking at me.
"So then someone… Or something brought this Jeanne back, and then proceeded to have her murder King Charles VII. Now she's on to slaughter everyone in Orleans..." I mutter thinking who would do such a thing.
"So does that mean two of the same Servants have been summoned in the same Era?" Mash asks.
"Hmm… If we could access the Holy Grail War's records, there should be examples of simultaneous summons." Roman said as he begins to search.
"Nevertheless, one this is for sure. Charles VII is dead, and Orleans has been occupied." Director said. "So, France has fallen. It makes sense why. France was the first nation to clear human liberty and equality. Many countries followed suit. If delayed, by 100 years could stagnate civilization." Director rationalises.
"Which would mean civilisation would still be in the middle ages if stopped." Geiz said. Jeanne stands up looking around, her flag at the ready.
"I just heard a voice… is that magecraft?! What in the world are you all-" Jeanne shouts.
"Please, clam down. We mean no harm. Let us introduce ourselves, I am the Director of Chaldea, Olga Marie Animusphere." Director greets.
"It's nice to meet you Sainte Jeanne d'Arch. I am Romani Archman, everyone calls me Roman. I do various support tasks. Nice to meet you." Roman greets.
"I see, Olga and Roman correct? Roman huh? You tend to be a dreamer." Jeanne said.
"Wh-What is this sense of defeat? She complimented me, but I'm not happy at all..." Roman sulks, Olga sighs.
"Don't mind him." Olga said to Jeanne.
"Excuse us, Mademoiselle Jeanne it's our turn now." Mash speaks in. "Our objective is the correction of this twisted history. We belong to an organisation by the name of Chaldea." Mash explains to Jeanne, she goes on to explain the rest of history up till now. We even explained the Rider system to her, to her confusion on several occasions.
"... I see, I understand now. To think the world itself has been incinerated. To think that Demon Lord like figure that appeared earlier was a future Sougo is just crazy to consider." Jeanne said trying to rationalise. I know, it is so crazy to think. "My worries were so trivial. But now, I-" Jeanne pauses. Hmm? "I'm an incomplete Servant, and I cannot even trust "Myself." The Jeanne d'Arc that occupies Orleans… Not that, but also those flying dragons" Jeanne said.
"Well, the history books definitely never had Wyverns in 15th century france." I note.
"Let's also not forget that the soldier earlier called her a "Dragon Witch." So then we can assume that this other "You" is controlling the Dragons somehow." Geiz points out, Jeanne agrees with the speculation.
"Likely, but I don't know how, I never thought about such a thing during my life." Jeanne said thinking back to any point in time. But nothing seems to come up. "Summoning dragons is the highest form of Magecraft, let alone to have this many-" Jeanne notes.
"It's an impossible feat for modern mages. It should be difficult even for even of this Era's Mages." Director thinks. Tsukuyomi raises his hand, getting everyone's attention.
"What about the Holy Grail? Could that have enough energy to summon and control his many Dragons?" Tsukuyomi said and we think and it fits. "If whoever is behind this is using Holy Grails to mess the time and space, it make sense that someone with a vendetta could use it." Tsukuyomi points out and more the pieces start to fit, but then a question sticks out.
"Wait. Then how did Jeanne survive the fire? She can't have acquired the Grail then been burned at the stake right?" I point out.
"Maybe someone else revived her like that soldier said?" Geiz asks.
"That would make sense. But if that were the case wouldn't it be the same as summoning the Jeanne before us?" Director said, we all ponder possible answers. Jeanne stands up with her flag up to the sky.
"Whatever the case… The objective is clear. Head to Orleans, and take back the city. To do that, I must exterminate the Jeanne d'Arc who stands in my way." Jeanne proclaims, "The lord didn't show the path, but I cannot turn my back on this." Jeanne said steeling herself.
"Even alone, you will fight… she's just like history said, Master." Mash said.
"Yeah, a clear departure from Da Vinci." I said looking at Jeanne. "Well, since it seems like our objectives are the same. How about we team up?" I suggest to her. "Power in numbers. Besides, it's clear that we're dealing with someone who has a lot of power. Every ally we have will help us in that way." I explain to her, Jeanne smiles and nods in agreement with me.
"Right. It's best to work together with Jeanne here. It's a rare honor to fight alongside a Saint and Savior!" Roman agrees, I look at Geiz he looks at me and sighs.
"Don't look at me." Geiz said. "The faster we deal with this the better." Geiz expresses. Okay. Tough as always… I look at Tsukuyomi.
"I'm okay with that." Tsukuyomi said, I look at Charlotte who nods.
"Good. Then once again, Mademoiselle Jeanne. We have our own objectives, but we want to be of aid to you." Mash said turning to Jeanne. "Will you allow us to fight under your flag as you're companions from now on?" Mash asks Jeanne, Jeanne beams with happiness.
"Oh… The pleasure will be all mine. I cannot possibly thank you enough." Jeanne expresses looking at everyone. "...Thank you, Mash, Sougo, Geiz, Tsukuyomi, Charlotte. I thought I would be in this fight all alone. Even if I'm up against myself, a witch, I have nothing to be afraid of now with you all with me." Jeanne said, she kneels on the ground and puts her hands together as she begins to pray. "Thank the Lord for this blessing." She mutters as she goes silent with a payre.
"...What are you doing?" Geiz asks confused. I look over to Geiz, to see that he and Tsukuyomi are confused at what Jeanne is doing. "Why are you doing tha-" Geiz said as he starts to Jeanne. I quickly run over and drag the two away from Jeanne. "What are you doing?" Geiz asks me.
"Can't you see she's praying?" I tell her. The two tilt their head to me. "What? You've never seen someone praying before?" I ask the two, and they think.
"I do remember seeing a few resistance members doing something similar." Tsukuyomi notes. "What is a Prayer?" Tsukuyomi asks me. That's… A bit of difficult way to phrase that question…
"Well… If I had to explain it. It'd be a word to powers above. A request to have belief in a power higher than our own." I explain, I look over at Jeanne who's still praying. "For Christianity, the religion that Jeanne is a part of, it's a word to a power above. God as it were- Huh… God." I mutter pausing my explanation.
"What's wrong?" Tsukuyomi asks me.
"Dunno… For some reason, I feel like when ever I talk about God- Ooh… I feel an odd sense of anger welling in me." I said, the two look at me in complete confusion. "Yeah, weird right?... Forget it. Anyways, as I was saiding, it is a form of divine intervention. Asking the Lord above to look over and give good luck of the sort to those believe in him… Is a way of putting it." I finish explaining, Geiz looks back over to Jeanne.
"And they fought for this protection?" Geiz asks.
"Oh, yeah. Let's not even bring up the Crusades. That mess is a bloodbath in of itself." I said to them, they look at me again confused. "Trust me. It's better that we put it off for another time." I tell them. God, they'd question if god is a good thing or not… Jeanne gets back up to her feet and we return to the group.
"Thank you. Now, we should seek out the Jeanne who they call a witch and defeat her." Jeanne said getting straight back to business. "But for now, we should scout around first. Our goal is simple, but reaching it won't be as much." Jeanne said.
"As expected, Jeanne d'Arc is as much as a saint as she is a strategist." Director said as she pulls up a map of Orleans. "As she has just said, an assault now is ill-advised. We know too little of the current landscape of the Time Period." Director said the map goes away and she appears again. "Ground team, till we know more. You're current objective is to find and set up a base of operations and gather intel on the current situation." Director orders, Geiz and Tsukuyomi salute her, Mash and I fumble before we salute as well.
"Yes, mam. What about that other rider we met earlier?" Geiz asks. That's a good question!
"For now, let us assume that He- It, is in league with… Just to make the difference clear, let's call this other Jeanne, Jeanne Alter." Director said. "As for Oma Zi-O. He seems to be assisting, so expect more items and weapons that aren't in this time appearing." Director advises us. That makes sense, with Nega Den-O, who knows what else is here that isn't supposed to. "Along with that, look for what kind of Servant, Altar is." Director orders.
"Shall we find other allies then?" Charlotte suggests, we all turn to her as she directs us to Jeanne. "Perhaps it's likely that there are other servants here like Saint Jeanne who are willing to help us." Charlotte points out.
"Good thinking assassin." Geiz said turning to Jeanne. "Ruler, is there a reading on any other Servant besides ourselves?" Geiz said gesturing to her. "Considering your class, you should be able to." Geiz said. The Ruler class can do that?
"I'm sorry Geiz, but as I am now, I am incapable of using my ability as a Ruler to detect other Servants. Like other ordinary Servants, I cannot detect them unless I am within a certain distance." Jeanne explains.
"Wait, if Jeanne here is a Ruler, then maybe Jeanne Altar is also a Ruler?" Mash suggests.
"I was careless. Their is that possibility. The other me… Altar Jeanne if she is truly a Servant then her Class, like mine, is Ruler. If that is the case, she will immediately know our location. We must be prepared for battle at all times. If possible, I would like to minimize our activities in any nearby towns and villages." Jeanne then pauses, before she sits down. "But without any lead on our hands, I doubt that's possible." Jeanne said she smiles and puts her hands together. "Let us head out early tomorrow morning.(looks at Sougo, Geiz, and Tsukuyomi) You three are still human and should probably get some sleep." Jeanne tells us.
"What about you? Are you gonna be fine?" I ask her.
"Don't worry about it. My abilities may have gone down in rank, but I still possess the basic abilities of a Servant. So don't worry about me. Well, good night." Jeanne said gesturing us to sleep. I look at the others, and I see Geiz and Tsukuyomi heading to sleep. Eh… It's been a long day, might be good to do that. I lay down and close my eyes, I feel my conscientiousness fade quickly.
We are Observer
The three quickly fall asleep, leaving the three servants to watch over them. "Did they go to sleep?" Jeanne asks, Mash nods looking over Sougo before looking to Jeanne.
"Yes, surprisingly quick for someone who is unfamiliar with sleeping outdoors." Mash noting looking back down at Sougo.
"Well, for those two, this is quite normal." Charlotte notes looking at Geiz and Tsukuyomi. "As for Sougo-kun. I guess it's just been a long day for him." Charlotte said, looking at Mash. The two exchange a small giggle between each other.
"I see..." Jeanne mutters, catching the attention of Mash.
"I could be imagining things, but is there something you aren't telling us?" Mash asks Jeanne. Jeanne puts on a serious face as she goes quiet. "I don't mean to pry..." Mash said apologising, she looks at Jeanne. "I thought it best to confront you in case it should become an obstacle in battle." Mash explains, Jeanne thinks and agrees.
"Quite right. As you wish, I shall tell you." Jeanne said. "It could be because my summoning was incomplete. Or- perhaps it's because my original self died just a few days ago." Jeanne said she twiddles her thumb, trying to find the right words to express herself. "How can I put it? It feels as if I am a "Brand-new Servant."" Jeanne explains.
"A beginner, you mean?" Charlotte clarifies, Jeanne nods.
"Yes. There is no future or past in the Throne of Heroes. But I don't have the power to access the records there. Therefore, it is difficult for me to act as a Servant." Jeanne said she lets out a small disappointed chuckle. "It feels like I'm going into battle for the first time again. And that bubbly-looking mage from before. He called me a saint and savior, but even with that expectation, I have no such power." Jeanne looks down at her hands her face flushed. "...So, the thing is. I fear that I will become a burden to you." Jeanne expresses.
"Jeanne, if that is all then it's all right." Mash assures.
"What?" Jeanne asks confused.
"I mean, this also feels like my first battle. We are the same." Mash assures. "As a Demi-Servant, I cannot fully harness my power as a Heroic Spirit. However, the Heroic Spirit inside me said "It's okay." And Senpai- Master, trusts someone like me…" Mash said she tries to find the words in herself. "...I don't know how to say this, but Senpai didn't choose to fight to prove something." She said before looking down and picking up his Ride Watch. "Senpai is simply trying to do what should be done, for us, for others, and to himself to become a king… Is what I think. So, it's all right. There's no reason for you to worry." Mash finishes explaining, before putting back the Ride Watch.
"...Thank you. I feel a little better." Jeanne said her face saddens as he looks at the three. "Is Sougo really going to become that Overlord?" She asks, with a curious look of the other two. "I know, seeing is believing, but… Such a young innocent soul such as him… It makes you wonder what kind of pain and trauma was inflicted upon him that made him into such a detached and… Cold person?" Jeanne ponders looking at Sougo, then she looks at Geiz and Tsukuyomi. "So much so, that he would destroy the lives of children?" Jeanne ponders aloud.
"Who knows..." Charlotte ponders, looking at Geiz and Tsukuyomi. "But, I do hope it's possible to change the future… So that those kids can sleep soundly, instead of ending up like myself." Charlotte said thinking back to her own past.
"... Well… Shall we put that behind us for tonight? I am pretty familiar with this Era and this country. Let's give it our best tomorrow!" Jeanne said, everyone nodding in agreement.
Elsewhere…
In a bustling city, cars drive down the road, people walk to where their supposed to be. That's when time stops and walking though the frozen crowd, Wool silently walks through the crowd of people frozen in time. As Wool walks, he pauses as footsteps walk up from behind. The sound of High heels echoed through the frozen time. "Looks like things didn't work out..." A woman with her forehead exposed and her hair braided back. Wearing a like blue and grey with silver rings suit. "With that Kamen Rider Altar Build you slapped together." She berates Wool.
"Well, someone interfered." Wool shoots back.
"Sigh~ Even in his younger years, that old Geezer is such a pain." The woman said as she walks over to a table and leans on it.
"He's not quite as strong yet, but you should be on guard anyway." Wool said as he paces around in a circle. "You're looking for your own candidate to be king, aren't you, Hora?" Wool said to Hora.
"Don't worry about me." Hora said as she grabs a toy windmill. "I've already got quite the scheme cooking." Hora said before she blows into the windmill.
2066…
Sirens ring out, as carroll is rushed down the hall. A boy in deep pain and in a dangerous condition is rushed to the ambulance. "Wait… Isn't that Keisuke?" A kid notes as the boy is rushed by.
"Huh? Did something happen?" Another kid asks.
"Keisuke, are you okay? Hang in there!" Keisuke's dad asks.
"It… Hurts… P-Please help me, Dad-" Keisuke said as time slows down. The Father confused as to what's happening until his eyes fall on Hora. He makes a small jolt in surprise.
"Who are you?" The Dad asks, he stresses out confused. "What's going on here?!" He asks stressing out.
"I'm Hora, a Time Jacker." Hora introduces herself as she walks towards the Dad. "And I'm afraid I have some bad news for you. But there's good news, too." Hora said, she looks down a the Keisuke. A Minute later, Hora jams an Altar Ride Watch into the Dad as his body is engulfed in glitches and phasing in and out. Before digitising and revealing a monster.
"EX-AID!"
We are Sougo… France
"Wake up!" I hear someone shout at me as I'm pushed around. I open my eyes to see the ground. I stand up and I'm covered in dust. What just? "Come on!" Geiz exclaims walking past me. I rub the back of my head, still groggy.
"Give a guy a break… *yawn* I just woke up..." I said still waking up.
"I'm afraid you'll have to do that on the road. First, let's cut through this forest and head to Orleans. Of course, it will be difficult to enter directly." Jeanne tells me, as she hands me some water. "But we might be able to get some information from surrounding towns and forts. So it's best to be ready." She tells me, I take the water and nod drinking it. "How, then shall we depart?" Jeanne asks, I grab my things and nod in agreement.
Near La Charite…
"We're almost at La Charite." Jeanne said as she points to a town ahead. "If we can't get any information here about Orleans, we'll have to get closer." Jeanne said she points towards Orleans. "I'd rather avoid that as much as possible. As long as I am still uncertain about the forces we have, we cannot engage." Jeanne advises.
"That's fair." Geiz said as he walks over. "It's good to keep yourself calm in a situation like this." Geiz said to Jeanne, she responds looking down at the ground.
"... No, to be honest, I am panicking. No matter how you look at it, the other "Me" cannot be in her right mind." Jeanne admits. You and me both Jeanne. "What that monster will do by controlling the people - it's not easy to imagine. Overwhelming power and hatred can easily destroy a person, no matter how noble they are." Jeanne said.
"I guess it's as they said. "Absolute Power, corrupts absolutely." If Jeanne Altar really does have the Holy Grail, it would make sense that she may have gone off the rails." I said to everyone, everyone agrees.
"- Wait a minute. A Servant was detected just ahead of your current path." Roman updates. "It's location is in La Charite, which is your destination. Huh, it's getting further away. Oh no, I've lost it! It's too far away!" Roman exclaims. Fou's ears perk up as he looks at Mash.
"Fou! Fou!" Fou exclaims before he jumps onto Mash and climbs on her head.
"What is it Fou? Suddenly climbing on my head? You want to see the sky over there?" Mash asks, we look towards where Fou is looking towards, and we see the town... Burning? "The town… It's burning?" Mash asks, we look on as we see black smoke rise into the sky.
"Oh, god! It is! It's burning!" Tuskuyomi exclaims.
"Let's hurry!" Jeanne exclaims.
"Ground team! Use you're bikes, you need to double time it!" Director orders, I look at Geiz and he nods in agreement. I nod back as we take out the Ride Strikers, tossing them into the air, they convert to their bike forms.
"You heard here! Mash hop on!" I shout, gesturing her. She nods and hops on. "Jeanne follow from behind in Spirit form!" I tell Jeanne, she looks at the bike then to me and then she nods.
"Assassin, you do the same. Tsukuyomi!" Geiz said, as Tsukuyomi rushes over and hops on. We rev our bikes and speed to Le Charite.
La Charite…
We arrive and we look upon the destruction. Oh my god… "It couldn't be!" Jeanne exclaims.
"Doctor, life from detection-" Mash asks.
"... It's no use! There's nothing alive left in that town." Roman tells us. I stare at the destruction.
"It can't be-." Mash said looking down distraught. I stare at the destroyed buildings, ashes of people, and lives destroyed. All of them… They didn't deserve this!
"Remember this Zi-O." Geiz said to me, I look at him. His face unfazed as if he's seen this exact sight hundreds of times. "This is the kind of destruction you make when you become Oma Zi-O." He tells me. I look back at the rubble. I do something as bad as this?
"Wait. Just now, a sound!" Jeanne said.
"Wait a minute, that's-!" Mash exclaims. We see hobbling out of the rubble a walking corps.
"No… it can't, be!" Jeanne exclaims. Those are… Zombies!
"Looks like they've turned into the living dead. Master, we have to scatter them!" Mash exclaims taking out her shield to combat.
"W-Wait but they're-" I begin to say when I'm grabbed by the collar and I face Geiz.
"They're dead. Who they once were is no more… The best we can do it put the body out of its misery." Geiz said before he let's go and straps on his belt… I-I'm… So sorry. I apologise, before I get off my bike and strap on my belt. "So come on, let's go." Geiz said to me, taking out his Ride Watch. I tightly clench the Ride Watch in my hand before putting it out to my side turning to the Rider Face.
"Zi-O!" "Geiz!" Our Watches exclaim, we put them into our belts and tilt the belt. Entering our henshin pose the clocks materialise behind us, we shout.
"Henshin!" We spin our belts as the world around us spins, the watch rings appear around us. It materialises our armor on us.
"Kamen Rider~ Zi-O~!" "Kamen Rider! Geiz!" The armor on us completing, we summon our weapons and we are ready for combat. The zombies hobble towards us, men, women, children too. This is just so horrible… My blade feels so much heavier in my hands all of a sudden. Geiz charges forwards cutting down a zombie without hesitation. Tsukuyomi shoots the ones nearest to her, Charlotte decapitates the Zombies… I step back.
"Ruuaaaagh!" A Zombie jumps at me, I swing cutting his arms and head off while I move to the side. The body hits the ground, I look at the corps. Oh god… I turn back and look at the Zombies. I'm sorry. I change to gun mode and shoot the heads of the zombies cutting down their numbers. A few minutes pass before we have cleaned up the Zombies.
We are Jeanne
I thrust my flag piercing a zombie's head. I take out the tip of the flag out of the Zombie's head as it's lifeless body drops to the floor. I balance myself on the flag as I catch my breath. "Are you alright?" Mash asks walking over.
"Yes. I'm fine-" I respond. I look at everyone else, Geiz, Tsukuyomi, and Charlotte all seem to be fine. Then my eyes fall on Sougo to see him putting his hand against a wall. He looks like he's on the brink of vomiting and trying his best not too. Lord… or perhaps it's the Devil. Why place such a daunting trial for someone as him… Altho, I guess in that respect, I am similar. I walk over to Sougo and pat him on the back. "Will you be alright?" I ask him.
"Y-Yeah. *Cough!* I'll be fine." Sougo said as he collects himself and steps to the others. Sougo… "Come on, Jeanne. There may be more." Sougo said to me, I nod as we continue through the town.
"...They're still here. They look like wyverns." Mash said pointing to an open square. "Are they… Ugh, no way!" We look on to see the wyverns devouring the corpses of the fallen men, women, and children.
"Are they devouring the corpses?" Dr. Romani asks.
"Come on! Let's get them!" Geiz said rushing towards them. I follow from behind, as does everyone else. "Haa!" Geiz shouts as he jumps and slams his axe into the head of the wyvern, killing it instantly. Sougo rushes past, swinging with both his hands and cutting across the throat of a wyvern, but not killing it. The Wyvern screams out, and grabs Sougo by the leg lifting him up.
"Shit!...D-Die!" Sougo shouts as he tilts back his blade to fire off a burst of magic into the Wyvern's head killing it. The Wyvern let's go as Sougo drops to the ground. "Ow! Oh~ ow..." He mutters trying to get up. That's when another Wyvern drops in, Mash rushes in and blocks with her shield.
"Charlotte-san!" Mash shouts, as Charlotte appears above the Wyver and drops onto it. Charlotte swiftly thrusts her blade into the Wyvern and takes it out quickly. She jumps away, as the Wyvern drops dead, not a drop of blood on her knife. I charge in, at the leader Wyvern I swing at the Wyvern. The Wyvern dodges and opens its mouth to bite me, that's when something flies past me and hits the Wyvern leader's wing, it falls to the ground and hits the ground. I turn around to see Tsukuyomi nodding at me, I nod back before charging in.
"Last!" I shout thrusting the tip of my flag straight into the head of the Wyvern Leader killing it. I remove the flag and let out a small sigh.
"Senpai? Are you okay?" Mash asks Sougo as he gets up, he nods to her. "Good. That was the last of the Wyverns. No sign of the enemy nearby. The battle is over." Mash notes, I look at the damage. "Jeanne?" Mash asks me.
"... It was most likely "Me" who was behind this." I said.
"We can't be sure of that yet-" Mash said.
"No. Jeanne is right. Wyverns, burned corpses, zombies, nothing alive? It certainly sounds like Altar Jeanne to me." Geiz remarks as he removes his helmet, I nod in agreement.
"Geiz is right. I can tell. I am sure of it… There is just one thing I don't understand. How much do you have to hate others to wreak such havoc?" I ask looking around. "I can't understand it." I said trying to comprehend "My" actions.
"The burning at the stake." Sougo speaks up, his own helmet removed. "If Jeanne Altar killed King Charles and is burning everything, then I'd pin it on you're death at the stake." Sougo points out. "Think about it. You may not have held a grudge, but anyone else who isn't as pure as you would hate those who turned on you're back. I think… Altar is a version of you that hated you're burning at the stake, hating everyone, the French people, the king, the church, and probably… God as well." Sougo rationalise, I take in what he said.
"Makes sense. Hate can drive people to forsake the world and others in the pursuit of vengeance." Olga said.
"Hold up! Ground team, the Servants that just left have reversed course!" Dr Romani warns us, we all turn to him. "This isn't good. They must've realized you're here!" He exclaims worried. So the other me is also a Ruler then!
"How many?" Mash asks.
"You must be kidding. There are five!" Dr Romani exclaims, so my other self has summoned Servants to her own side. "They're fast… Are those Riders or something? We don't stand a chance against them! We must Run!" Dr Romani warns us.
"He's right. Ground team, we can't face them with our numbers. We may hold the number advantage, but there are 5 Servants. Zi-O, Geiz, and Tsukuyomi wouldn't last long." Olga expresses. "I'm ordering the team to pull out! Retreat!" Olga orders, I can't find myself to run.
"Jeanne! Servants are closing in-" Mash expresses but I counter by lodging my flag into the ground.
"...I won't run. I must at least find out what their true intentions are!" I proclaim.
"But!-" Mash sputters.
"It's no use, we won't make it! Mash, just run, got it?" Dr Romani shouts.
"It's too late." Charlotte said as 5 figures drop in. I see "Me" leading them, a darker version of me… Ugh! I look at myself, she looks at me in surprise.
"-What, on earth?" Altar asks. "Who knew… Who knew such a thing could happen?" Altar ponders, I'm at a loss of words. "Could someone please pour some water on me. This is bad. It's awful. I think I'm really going to lose it." Altar said, she begins to laugh. "It's so funny I might die from laughing! Take a look Gilles! Look at that pathetic girl! What is she a wimp? A mouse? A worm?" Altar mocks before sighing. "Either way, they're all the same! So puny, I can't even muster any sympathy! Ah… truly- a country that could only cling to "Me".. comparing them to mice is an insult to mice." Altar said turning around. "Hey, Gilles, don't you think so- Oh, I see. We didn't bring Gilles along." Altar said.
We are Sougo
"Did she said Gilles?" I mutter.
"You… Who are you?" Jeanne asks Altar.
"I could ask the same of you… Right, as a leader, let me answer that." Altar said as she lodges her own flag into the ground. "I am Jeanne d'Arc. The saint devoted to Face… The other "Me."" She introduces herself.
"What? That's nonsense. You are no saint. Just as I am no saint." Jeanne counters, she shakes her head and focuses. "But, that is already a thing of the past. More importantly- why did you attack this town?" Jeanne asks Altar. Altar looks at Jeanne, confused.
"...Why, you ask? As the same Jeanne d'Arc, I thought you would understand." Altar asks Jeanne confused at her question. "Are you stupid now that your alignment has changed? The reason I attacked this city? What a foolish question. It's obvious, isn't it?" Altar said as her face turns to a malicious smile. "It is for the sole purpose of destroying France. I am, after all, a Servant." She answers. What?
"What does that have to do with anything!?" I shout stepping forwards.
"Sougo! Stand down!" Olga orders, only for a laugh to be let out.
"Well, this is the younger Zi-O? He was not lying when he said that his younger self is a stark contrast!" Altar said. What? She met the future me? "To answer your question. Politically, economically, these methods take too long. Is it better to simply physically crush everything?" Altar answers, Jeanne steps forwards.
"Such foolishness!" Jeanne proclaims.
""Such foolishness?"" Altar asks confused. "The foolish ones are us, Jeanne d'Arc." She responds. What? "Why did you want to save this country? Why did you want to bring salvation to these people? All the while knowing that they are the ones who spit on and betrayed us!" Altar shouts at us.
"Guess you were right on this One Zi-O." Geiz said to me. I don't feel happy about being right on this again. Jeanne struggles to find the words to counter.
"I will be fooled no longer. I will be betrayed no longer. I no longer hear the voice of the Lord." Altar said. "The fact that I cannot hear His voice, means the Lord no longer blesses this country. So, I will destroy it, in accordance to the Lord's grief. I will cut away all the bad seeds at the roots. As long as the human race exists, so will my hatred. I will remake this Phrase into a land of the dead." Altar proclaims, she looks back down at us. "That's how I will save this country. By the hands of the new Jeanne d'Arc reborn through death." She tells us.
"Who gave you the right..." I mutter, Jeanne looks at me. "Who gave you the right to judge everyone's lives! No one has the rights to judge everyone!" I look at the ground a body of a mother clenching their child in her arms. I kneel down and reach down. "These people… They had plans for tomorrow… For next week." I look at Altar. "They weren't supposed to die like this!" I shout, Altar chuckles.
"I suppose you could never understand. You people, playing the role of saints." Altar said at us. "Impossible for a petty little holy virgin who pretends not to see hatred and joy is incapable of human growth! Impossible for an Overlord who's blinded by the stupid idea of Kings and Kingdoms blinding their eyes to the reality around them!" Altar shouts at us.
"I..." Jeanne mutters, I can't find the words in myself as well.
"No, what is human growth to Servants? If you're going to call it something, you would rank up as a Heroic Spirit." Roman said, Altar's face sours.
"- There appears to be a noisy fly here. Should I kill it, if it gets too annoying?" Altars asks before we hear something be lit.
"Get the Fire extinguisher!" I hear director shout.
"Wait, wha-, the console's on fire! That Servant can burn her enemies with just a glare?!" Roman shouts, as I hear a fire extinguisher being blasted.
"... Are you really "Me?"" Jeanne asks Altar.
"...I have played my part for you so clearly, yet you still have doubts? This rage is an ugly justice. It's not that you cannot understand it, you do not even have the will to try. But, I understand. Seeing you, I have realised all their is to the Heroic Spirit that is myself." Altar looks down at Jeanne. "You are neither Ruler nor Jeanne d'Arc. You are nothing but some leftover residue that I threw away." Altar mocks Jeanne, Jeanne still trying to find the words to respond. "If you were the same existence and Class as I, then I should have felt something. But you are worthless. Nothing but a ghost with a misguided effort to recreate history." Altar said before she turns away. "Berserk Lancer, Berserk Assassin. Finish off that country girl." Altar said, Lancer and Assassin step up. "You're getting tired of small prey, aren't you? Rejoice they are strong. Among all the servants I summoned, your thirst for blood is the strongest. You exist to crush the brave. Devour them to your heart's content." Altar commands.
"Does this bitch ever just shut up?" Geiz asks, clenching his axe in his hand. "She just keeps yapping and yapping. Fighting doesn't have this much talk!" Geiz said putting on his helmet.
"(sweatdrop)At this point, she's less a saint more a Preacher at this point." I point out with a sigh. "A mad… Crazy… Witch Preacher." I mutter. That's when a pair of footsteps walk in.
"Actually Jeanne." A soft yet sinister voice said as a Man steps out dressed in a suit. "If you would not mind, allow us to have the first attack." The man said facing us.
"Nothing personal to you guys, but." Nega Den-O said stepping out. Out of his armor but with the belt and pass with him. "I'm itching for a fight." He said cracking his knuckles. "Feel free to kill them after we beat them down." He tells Lancer and Assassin.
"-Very Well. Now, I will have your blood." A pale man with white hair and dressed like a gentleman with a spear said stepping forward. So that's Altar's Lancer.
"Not so fast "my King." I would like to partake of her flesh and blood, as well as her insides." said a woman with a regil dresses, carrying a large case that's designed like a praying woman, chains wrapped around the case. She wears a metal dress with sharp thorns, she has pure white hair with a headdress, and a mask hiding her yellow eyes. She carries with her staff. I assume that's Assassin.
"So greedy. And her soul? Who gets to take her soul?" Lancer asks.
"There is no gain in taking her soul. Do you think honor or reputation can maintain my beauty?" Assassin said. Beauty? Blood, beauty… Wait. Could she be?-
"I will take their souls." The man in the suit said, as he steps forward. He takes out a belt with a knife on it, and two slots for… Something. "To Ascend, one must complete trials to gain truth." The man said as he takes out… locks? One looks like a blood orange, while the other looks like… a watermelon? But it's pure red. "Henshin." He said before opening the locks.
"Blood Orange!" "Zakuro!" The locks announce as he puts them into his belt. Blood Orange and a Pomegranate? "Lock on!" The man locks on the Locks before slicing. "Ha! Blood Zakuro Arms! Kuruizaki! Sacrifice! Blood Orange Arms! Shadow Michi! On Stage!" A zipper appears above the man, the zipper open a portal as a red liquid spills down covering the man, armor materialises and enters the liquid. The Liquid blasts away leaving a Rider standing before us.
The Rider has a color pallet of red, dark red, black, and sliver. The helmet faintly looks like a knight helmet with a random pomegranate style visor behind the eye piece. Around the mouth is a series of red bandages around the mouth. The chest armor is odd with the left shoulder pad, looking like an Orange shoulder piece, while the chest and right shoulder have a pomegranate with a bit of the inside exposed pointing out. The Stomach has a silver chain mail look, while at the waist is the belt, with the belt blade, and two exposed locks. Under the waist are tattered and ripped drape. At the legs, a black undersuit accents silver armor, with blue shoes. The Rider carries a one handed sword with an Orange slice design to the blade. He also carries a bow, with a red body, white string, blue edges and tip.
"Kamen Rider Saver." Saver introduces himself. Another Kamen Rider?!
"Then me too I guess." Nega said strapping on his belt and passing his pass over the belt. "Henshin." He said before tossing away the pass.
"Nega Form!" The suit materialises before the armor attaches on. The four now stand before us. Nega Den-O prepares his blade, while Saver sheaths his orange blade and rides his bow. Lancer, Assassin, and Nega take the front.
"Let's end this quick." Nega said.
"Ugh..." Jeanne said.
"...Master." Mash asks me. There's no point in running now. I think to myself, as I clench my hand. My helmet appears on my head again as I ready my blade. Geiz does the same.
"We have no choice! Get ready." I said.
"Right! Jeanne! Get ready, they're coming!" Mash exclaims to Jeanne.
"U-Understood!" Jeanne said readying her flag. Lancer comes at us, the two Riders and Assassin stay back. Lancer charges us, before swinging his lance across the ground. Form the ground heading straight at me are a series of spikes. I jump back dodging the sharp spike, I look up to see Lancer dropping down on me. I jump back again, bracing for impact. Lancer lands on the ground breaking the earth below him, as it forms into a crater. Lancer twirls his lance before thrusting at me. Mash jumps in and blocks with her shield.
"Yu-mi!" I hear as Geiz runs up, and looks at me. He gestures to his bow. I don't have a bow, that's what he means... right? I look at him confused. He sighs, before reaching out to my blade and tilting the blade back. "Zyu!" Oh, shooting. Got it. Jeanne jumps over Mash and swings down at Lancer. Lancer blocks, before Geiz and I move out of Mash's shield. Taking aim we start shooting at Lancer. Lancer jumps back making some distance, as he twirls his Lance before him blocking our attacks. We have him on the ropes! Lancer glances at me before he stomps on the ground as spikes break ground fast towards me. Spoke too soon!
"Senpai! Dodge!" Mash shouts at me, I jump out of the way. Just as Charlotte lands softly on the spikes and charges towards Lancer. Charlotte jumps in the air and down towards Lancer her blade at the ready. Lancer smiles. What's he up too?
"Covered in blood, I hereby offer up my life!" Lancer begins to glow.
"Shit! His Noble Phantasm! Assassin! Get out of there!" Geiz shouts at Charlotte, she's still falling. She won't make it!
"Kazikli Bey!" Lancer shouts at his body bursts out blood that flies towards Charlotte, Geiz, and Jeanne. Oh, no!
"Geiz!" Tsukuyomi shouts.
"No! Stop!" I shout reaching out, when the world seems to suddenly slow down. H-Huh? Again? I… I can't waste this time! I rush towards Jeanne, pushing her out of the way. Then to Geiz, who I pull out of the way. Then I climbed some rubble and jump up to Charlotte, barely managing to grab her leg, pulling her down. As I pull her down time resumes and everyone dodges the Noble Phantasm. "You okay!" I shout checking on Charlotte, Lancer looks at me confused. He shakes off the thoughts in his mind as he readies his lance again. "You won't get the chance!" I shout standing up and aiming my gun shooting at Lancer, he simply scoffs and blocks my bullets. I need to stop time again, I can do it again! The world around me begins to slow down again, when an incredible pain shoots through my head, and time returns to normal. "AARGH!" I scream in pain.
"What now?" Lancer notes looking at me. He sighs before readying his lance again.
"Finish Time!" We hear, Lancer is distracted. As Charlotte, Jeanne, and Mash all charge in and attack. Charlotte gets a good stab, Jeanne hits Lancer in the head, Mash bashes into Lancer. I look over to Geiz who spins his belt. "Time Burst!" A phantom of Lancer appears behind Lancer, he looks at the phantom before looking back at Geiz who has already jumped into the air and drop kicks Lancer, slamming into him, he's knocked back.
"Zi-O! Stop standing there and shoot!" Geiz shouts at me. I press the button on the blade.
"Time Charge! 5… 4… 3… 2… 1… Zero Time!" I aim at Lancer who's still collecting himself. "Sure Sure Uchi!" I shoot off a blast at Lancer. Lancer braces and tanks the attack. Assassin sighs at the sight of all this.
"I can't believe you couldn't finish off a young girl, and two mortal boys… I wonder if you felt sympathy for them." Assassin notes. I look at Lancer. Spikes, blood, Kazikli bey… Could the Lancer's true name be? "Kindness doesn't suit you. It's not very monster-like, Dracul." Assassin said.
"Dracul… Vlad Tepist the third!" I exclaim. It all makes sense now!
"Who?" Geiz asks me.
"Vlad III Darcul, also widely known as Vlad the impaler." I explain to Geiz. "A national hero of Romania. But his legend is skewed to others because of the emergence of Dracula, the Vampire." I explain further to Geiz and Tsukuyomi.
"Who knew that you'd reveal my True Name in front of others. I'm extremely displeased." Vlad expresses, before he turns his attention to me. "But it is good to know one who knows of the True me, and not of the Vampire." He said to me. Is that a compliment?
"What's wrong? I would rather be remembered by a Bad name than not at all." Assassin said, Saver and Nega Den-O step past. Nega bumps against Assassin. "You dare?" Assassin asks.
"Shut up you hag. Not as if anyone cares what you think. Carmilla." Nega Den-O said.
"You're kidding!? The two architects of the Vampire Legends? Here?!" I exclaim, Geiz looks at me just as confused. "Elisabeth Bathory. Otherwise known as Carmilla. A Female Noble, who took in beautiful women. She proceeded to torture them and kill the women. Before bathing in her blood to make herself beautiful." I explain to Geiz. "She believed that the blood of women would keep her young and beautiful." I explain.
"It's a bit Ironic, that chronologically speaking. Dracula, the symbol and figure head of vampires, is predated by Carmilla by 26 years." Roman points out.
"Enough…. It's time to test your souls… Are you strong enough to join me?" Saver asks us, we ready ourselves again, Assassin walks over. "Wish to grace us with your presence?" Saver asks Carmilla. Nega sighs.
"Well you'd better pull your own damn weight." Nega said.
"Silence, creature. I do not want to hear such comments to someone such as lazy as yourself!" Carmilla said back.
"Hey, I pull my weight. You've been the lazy one. So pull you're fucking weight, hag." Nega said.
"Tch!" Carmilla clicks before walking towards us.
"Here we go, round two." Geiz said. Saver starts by shooting an arrow at us.
Elsewhere… We are Observer…
Above Wool looks over the battle below. Wool stands atop a damaged bell tower. Wool sits down with his arms on his head looking at the battle unfold.
"Looks like things didn't work out..." A woman's voice speaks up. Wool turns back to Ora. "That Alter Build you slapped together. Zi-O has already made some progress." Ora said.
"Not as if things have been good on our end. Oma Zi-O has already stepped in to this Singularity." Wool said looking down at the two Evil Riders battling. "Bringing other Riders to battle Zi-O… So… How about your own candidate for king?" Wool asks standing up and turning to Ora.
"Don't worry about me." Ora said before walking over to Wool to look at the battle below. "I've already got quite the scheme cooking." Ora said smiling, as hobbled footsteps approach from behind Ora. Wool looks over and his eyes widen in surprise.
"Raahh~." Creature hobbles over. On his chest is written.
Ex-Aid
Rayshift 3 Complete