Disclaimer: I don't own anything that doesn't belong to me.
The Zea Wheel was probably one of the most famous and impressive attractions at Hiden Land. A towering Ferris wheel revolving around a central axis resembling the satellite goddess Herself, with cushioned, air-conditioned capsules that doubled as confessionals where devotees of the Church of the Divine Zero or people who just wanted to get something off their chest, something they didn't feel comfortable talking about with anyone else, could commune with the digital deity. More than a few passengers reported having a religious experience on the ride, and some wound up converting on the spot.
"After all," a general sentiment seemed to be, "It's one thing to pray to a God for guidance, and another for them to actually respond!"
Giff felt as if the central eye on the wheel was staring at him, and felt somewhat unnerved, as if the attraction was seeing right into his soul. (Did he have one of those?) Despite the fact that he was far older and much more powerful than Zea, he couldn't help feeling somewhat… Humbled before this colossal idol, made in the image of a relatively new goddess created by humans to serve humans with wisdom and compassion.
He wondered what She thought of him.
Would She approve of his actions, forgive him for his past transgressions, or condemn him for what he had done to Her creators long ago and relatively recently?
He glanced at the rest of his family (and tagalongs) who also seemed to be regarding the wheel with borderline reverence. This would be the last stop on their visit to Hiden Land. After that, everyone was going home, and while he had been invited to come with them – an invitation he fully intended to honor – after that…
After that he would have to go home for real. And possibly hang up Cousin Giffrey for good, something he was amazed to discover he didn't want to do just yet.
Perhaps…
Perhaps it was time.
"Everyone," he said abruptly. "Before we get on this ride, there's… Something I'd like to say. But… Before that, I was hoping I could have a word in private with… With whoever you consider to be the head of the family. Which of you would you say holds that position? "
"Well, that's definitely mom," Ikki said immediately.
Sakura nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it's mom."
"No doubt," Hana agreed.
"It's Yukimi," George confirmed.
"Ook," Georgina grunted.
"Grandma, love!" Lovekov cheered.
"Yeah, it's her, unfortunately," Vice grunted.
"Oh, it's absolutely Yukimi," Genta said without hesitation.
"Honey!" Yukimi protested.
"Come on dear, we all know it's true," Genta said.
Giff nodded. "Yes, I thought as much. Yukimi, if I could have a moment of your time?"
Yukimi hesitated, then glanced at Astarte, who regarded Giff for a moment then nodded subtly. Azuma, observing the interaction, frowned and glanced at Giff, who also nodded slightly. The ancient human gave him a concerned look but said nothing.
"I think that will be fine," Yukimi said. "So long as we aren't gone for too long."
"Thank you," Giff said quickly. "And after this, we can all ride the wheel together. That is, if you will still have me."
Yukimi's eyebrows raised in surprise. "Why wouldn't we?"
"That… Is part of what I need to discuss with you," he said evasively. "Come. I'll try and make this quick."
He took Yukimi by the hand and led her away from the group.
Ikki frowned uncertainly. "Should we… Go after them?"
"No," Astarte said. "He does not mean your mother any harm."
Genta nodded agreement. "Yeah, I got the same vibe. I'm not sure what he wants, but… I think we need to trust him, and trust Yukimi. We've trusted him all day so far, and it hasn't turned out badly, has it?"
"He… Is certainly not what I expected," Ampaz agreed.
"I don't know if I can forgive him for… For everything," Hana muttered. "But… He helped Lovekov earlier, and he didn't have to. And as much as I hate to admit it, I think he's serious."
Tamaki nodded. "Yeah. He doesn't seem… Evil, exactly. Just… Confused."
"While all of us demons wish to coexist with humans in one form or another," Astarte mused, "Some of us are better at doing it than others, and have a better understanding of what it means to be human. Giff… Does not. Has not. But…"
"He may finally be starting to," Azuma finished.
"Hey, Azuma, you and Giff go way back, right?" Vice asked. "What you think he wants with Mama Igarashi?"
Azuma frowned. "If I can hazard a guess? I think-"
"IGARASHI FAMILY!"
Startled, everyone turned to see-
"All right, I think this is private enough," Giff said, having taken Yukimi to the base of one of the pylons circling the park, which was usually only frequented by maintenance workers due to the borderline irritating noise emanating from the generators set into it. "I don't think anyone will disturb us here, or overhear."
"Giffrey, what's this all about?" Yukimi inquired, a teensy bit nervous. She didn't really believe Giff wanted to harm her, after all, if he really did he could have done so at any point today, but a part of her couldn't help but be at least a little concerned.
Giff looked at her for a long minute, sighed, and bowed his head. "That's not my name."
Yukimi blinked. "What?"
"I lied to you when we first met at the bathhouse. And I've kept lying to you – to all of you – all day long," Giff said morosely. "And… We are family, and after everything I've seen today, I do not believe family should lie or keep secrets. So… That's why… I have to come clean."
He reached up and took off his glasses. "I'm not your cousin. Cousin Giffrey does not exist. I am, in fact, your father-in-law, the enemy your children have been fighting against all this time… The demon king Giff."
Yukimi stared at him.
He sighed and gently took her hand. "I can tell by your silence that you are rendered speechless by this revelation, the truth so startling it has driven your meager mortal mind to the brink of madness. Do not fret, Yukimi. I mean no harm to you, your children, or your friends. This is not part of some insidious scheme. I promise, while I may have come to you under false pretenses, my intentions are pure."
Yukimi blinked. What was he talking about-
Oh, right, he thought his terrible disguise had actually worked on her, and Astarte had insisted before not to let on otherwise.
"I'm not afraid," she said quickly, which was true. "I'm just… Startled, and confused as to why you did all this. My children and their friends have been fighting you and your minions for months. Your forces have ravaged the city, hurt thousands, and your prophet Akaishi keeps claiming you're on the brink of destroying the world. Why did you deceive us? What are you trying to accomplish?"
"Yukimi, do… Do you know what is like, to be surrounded by others, and yet feel completely and utterly alone?" Giff asked after a moment.
"… I do," she said softly. "After my parents died, and before I met Genta… Everything seemed hopeless. I had… Nobody. Nobody at all. If I hadn't happened to be present at that battle on that fateful day… If I hadn't pulled him from the debris and taken him home, I… I shudder to think what I might have done."
Giff nodded, pleased and sympathetic. "You do understand. I … Am a superior being, as far removed from humans as you are from ants. And while this has a great many advantages, there are… Downsides. While I am not the only one of my kind in this world, as I'm certain Astarte has told you, we greater demons… Do not get along. Technically, we are peers, family, but… For the most part we can't stand each other. I do not expect you to understand-"
"Actually, that's more common occurrence than you might think," Yukimi interjected. "While my family is very close knit, others… Well, there's lots of families that don't get along, or have relatives they don't like to talk about." She grimaced, then reluctantly admitted, "I suppose Daiji could technically count as that right now, though I refuse to believe reconciliation is impossible."
"Truly? I suppose that is another thing I have in common with your species…" Giff murmured. "While I am capable of creating life, those lesser demons, my children, they… They are basically an extension of myself. To converse with them is not unlike conversing with a mirror, and I'm not nearly that vain. Ever since I became aware of your species, I have wanted to coexist with you, but you have always rejected me simply because I was not one of you."
"Well, maybe it also had something to do with the fact that you kept destroying civilizations?" Yukimi couldn't help bringing up.
"Well, yes, there is that, though there were extenuating circumstances some of those times," Giff conceded. "Ages ago, I began to give up hope that I could ever truly be a part of your world. Akaishi convinced me to give you another chance. But when I awakened in this new world, while I could see humanity had changed greatly, in many ways, they have stayed the same. It did not feel like an entity such as myself could ever truly be accepted by your kind.
"And then I learned that I had more family, hybrids of human and demon. Your family. I was elated. If humans and those with my genes could coexist, then perhaps humans and I could coexist," Giff continued. "But… Your children and their allies opposed me. I did not understand why."
"Daiji joined you," Yukimi pointed out.
"Yes, but he did so out of fear, not because he wanted to be family with me, it's not the same thing," Giff said, clearly unhappy about this. "I concocted this ruse, this brilliant disguise of 'Cousin Giffrey' in hopes of getting closer to you so that I could understand… Why. Why you opposed me. Why you continue to defend humanity and the prosperity I can bring, why you would choose them over your own progenitor. And maybe, just maybe, find a way to earn your acceptance so that I would not be alone anymore."
"What about Akaishi-"
"He's more of a servant than a friend," Giff said scornfully. "And I'm beginning to lose faith in him anyways… Though perhaps Azuma…"
He frowned and looked up, at the Rider and Lost Models floating through the sky. "In any event, what I found… Was that I did not know humans as well as I thought I did. I have… Learned much today, Yukimi. About humanity. About family. And maybe about myself. I… Did not expect this. I find that I am actually… Happy. And… Sad that this has to end."
Yukimi blinked. "Does it?"
"It must," he said sadly. "I have decided that this deceit can go on no longer. I want to tell everyone the truth about who I am. I told you first because as head of the family, I was hoping you could help me to gauge how the others will take it… And, perhaps, soften the blow."
"You… Really care about our opinion, don't you?" Yukimi realized.
Giff nodded. "Yes. Your family are not the first humans to share my genes, but you are the first in a very, very long time that I feel… Close to. That I care about. That is why you must know the truth. I cannot stand to lie to you anymore. Even if the truth means that you will reject me like the rest, I… I want to tell you. I only hope that, despite my deception, it will not change how you feel about me, though I fear there can be no other outcome."
"… Giff. After today… What are you going to do?" Yukimi asked after a moment. "Will things just go back to the way they were?"
"I… Do not want them to," Giff confessed. "You all have given me… Much to think about. It seems there is much about this world and humanity that I still need to understand. I do not… I do not want to fight you."
"Then don't," she told him. "You can end this right now. Stop this war."
"A part of me wants to, but…" Giff faltered. "While I do not want to keep fighting your children – my grandchildren – I am unconvinced that conflict is not inevitable. While my convictions have been shaken… While many of my long-held beliefs about humanity have wavered… I am not yet wholly convinced that your species can save itself and stave off extinction. I still believe you need guidance, before it is too late. I… Would like it if you all were at my side, to stand with me as I lead humanity into a new age… And perhaps to provide me with guidance in turn and make certain I do not repeat my mistakes, to speak up and challenge me when you believe that I am wrong, to keep me from giving into my darker impulses and ruining the future I seek to create because, let's face it, Daiji isn't really going to cut it on that front." He frowned. "You know, now that I think about it, I probably shouldn't have neglected him so much. I should probably do something about that…"
"Yes, you should," Yukimi agreed.
"But… I'm afraid I must acknowledge that is unlikely," Giff continued sadly. "You joining me, that is, not me trying to patch things up with Daiji, although honestly I'm not sure I have high hopes for him either."
Yukimi's heart sank. "So long as you feel the only path forward is to conquer humanity, I'm afraid it is."
Giff nodded glumly. "I was afraid of that." He hesitated, then said, "However. I promise you this. No matter what happens, I will not wipe out humanity, no matter what Akaishi says. I shall also try to prevent any further casualties, since I see now it is counterproductive, for how can I claim to be humanity's Savior while ordering the deaths of those who defy me? And… Above all else…"
He took her hands again. "I promise you that no matter what happens, you and your family will be taken care of. And while I may be forced to fight your children again… I will not kill them. Even if we are on separate sides, we… Are family, and I do not want that to change, even if you may not feel the same way."
"Giff."
"Yes?"
"I do feel the same way, and I'm sure everyone else will once you come clean," Yukimi said firmly.
Giff gave her a startled look. "They… They will?"
"After everything we've been through today… I know for a fact that they also think of you as family," Yukimi promised, offering him a warm smile. "And if you really have doubts about your cause, about what you're doing, then they'll do everything in their power to convince you that you're wrong about humanity. That there can be peace between us."
"… I hope they do," Giff said, starting to tear up. "I… I really, really do."
"And one more thing."
"Yes?"
Yukimi put his glasses back on and smiled. "No matter what happens, know that Cousin Giffrey will always have a place at Happy Spa."
He stared at her, dumbstruck. Clearly, this outcome had never occurred to him. That they might accept him, welcome him despite everything… "Have humans changed so much, then, to be capable of such kindness?" He whispered, awed. "Or have you always been like this, and I just failed to notice?"
She laughed. "Humans are strange and contradictory creatures, Giff. We always have been. We can indeed be capable of great cruelty, and also great kindness. We just need to listen to our better angels… Or perhaps our better demons."
"… I wish I'd met someone like you sooner," he whispered, marveling at this completely ordinary, completely incredible middle-aged human woman. "Then… Perhaps things might have been different."
"They still could be," she assured him.
He smiled. "Yes. Maybe they can."
And that's when the screaming started.
"It's Akaishi!" Sakura gasped.
"And Daiji…" Ikki murmured unhappily.
"And… Holy shit, Olteca is alive?!" A horrified Tamaki cried. "I thought Giff ate him!"
"Oh, yeah, you missed that part, Giffrey said earlier that he and the other Deadmans executives were alive all along, Giff has just been feeding off of them in his pocket dimension," Hana explained.
"Really? That seems kind of contrived," Vice complained.
"Oh, absolutely," George agreed. "Though at least it provides a convenient excuse to bring back past villains thought defeated!"
"Daiji! You showed up after all!" Genta cried joyfully, making his wayward son flinch uncomfortably. "And… You brought friends. Not exactly ones we're happy to see, but, well, I suppose if you all want to hang out with us, maybe we can work something out-"
"We aren't here to indulge in this childish amusement park alongside our sworn enemies," Akaishi snapped. "Where is Lord Giff?!"
Genta reeled back, surprised. "Huh? Giff?"
"Yes! We know he's with you! Do you have any idea the danger you've courted by bringing him here, to a place filled with so many innocent people?!" Akaishi snapped.
"There have been numerous casualties already! You've put people's lives in danger by bringing him here! What were you thinking?!" Daiji demanded angrily.
"In our defense, every single one of those disasters was caused by the Ark trying to screw with us," Vice protested.
"What about-" Lovekov started.
"EVERY. SINGLE. ONE."
Akaishi blinked in confusion. "The Ark? Why would a glorified PC take an interest in you and Lord Giff?"
"Well, if I remember right, the Ark is a literal God of malice and evil, and Giff eats evil energy, so maybe it was worried Giff might pose a threat to it?" Olteca speculated.
Akaishi gave him an annoyed look. "It's just a machine! A machine cannot be a God!"
"There is an entire religion that would argue otherwise," Astarte spoke up.
"Several, Zea isn't the only computer deity out there," Ampaz added.
Akaishi threw up his hands in exasperation. "Whatever! It's a miracle you fools haven't done something to set Giff off and destroy this entire park! You must relinquish him immediately, before it is too late!"
Vice huffed. "Huh! Where does this guy get off, trying to ruin our family day and calling us morons?"
"Kuzu," Lovekov agreed.
"Yeah! Wait, are you calling him a moron or me?" Vice asked anxiously.
Lovekov smiled at him.
Azuma frowned. "As unfortunate as it is, I suppose his presence makes sense… Given that Akaishi knows all too well what's happened previous times Giff attempted to pass himself off as human, he must have feared the worst when he realized Giff had set out to do so again…"
"It's honestly somewhat surprising he didn't show up sooner," Astarte admitted.
"But how would he even know Giff was with us?" A startled Ikki wondered.
"Uh, social media?" Ampaz suggested, waving her phone. "People have been posting pictures and videos of you guys all day."
"Also, I'm pretty sure mom sent Daiji multiple messages telling us where we would be today if he wanted to join us," Sakura murmured.
"Oh, right."
"Dammit, Mama Igarashi!" Vice cursed.
"Mother did the right thing," Daiji said. "Which is more than I can say for the rest of you!"
"Like you're one to talk! It's bad enough you're working with Akaishi, but now Olteca too?! After everything he's done?!" Sakura demanded furiously.
"The same could be said about you and Hana and Tamaki!" Daiji snapped back.
"Hey, Lady Hana and I truly regret our actions and are trying to atone! Does Olteca regret anything?!" Tamaki demanded.
"Nope!" Olteca said cheerfully.
Everyone gave Daiji pointed looks, and he had the grace to look ashamed.
"Why do you have grasshopper legs?" Genta asked Olteca.
"Giff-kun ate them, so Giff gave me new ones," Olteca explained.
"That freak of nature is still alive?!" Vice exclaimed.
"Lord Giff thinks he's cute," Akaishi muttered, looking embarrassed.
"Not as cute as me, love," Lovekov said smugly.
Everyone nodded in agreement at this.
"I think a better question might be why you have a gorilla," Olteca commented. "And a snake girl. And… A hobo?"
"The gorilla is my new mother, Georgina," George said cheerfully.
"Ook."
"I'm Tamaki's girlfriend," Ampaz insisted, clinging tightly to Tamaki.
"And I am no hobo, but Azuma, another immortal disciple of Giff who's been more or less retired for the last 80 years," Azuma declared.
Olteca stared. "… Tamaki has a girlfriend?!"
"That's the part you find hard to believe?!" Daiji cried in disbelief.
"No, he's right, I have trouble believing it either," Tamaki admitted.
Akaishi's jaw dropped. "Azuma… Is that really you?! I almost didn't recognize you under the beard… And the clothes… And the…" With a distasteful look on his face, he gestured at Azuma's entire being. "What are you doing here?! After World War II, you claimed you had given up on humanity!"
Azuma shrugged. "I got bored. Did you know, I had no idea until this day Lord Giff was back? And that you apparently didn't tell him about me? Or the war? Or the one before it?" He narrowed his eyes. "What else haven't you told him?"
Akaishi turned red, flustered. "I… I am only acting in Lord Giff's best interests, and that of humanity!"
"For some reason, I'm not convinced," Azuma murmured. "I think I've been gone for too long. I think, perhaps, it's time I returned to my place at our master's side… And make sure someone trustworthy has his ear."
"Ohhhh, you got burned!" Vice whooped.
"I don't understand, who is this guy and what's he talking about-" a confused Daiji started.
"Not now!" Akaishi snapped. "Look, Azuma, whatever problem you might have with me, it can wait until we've safely secured Lord Giff! You know as well as I do how dangerous he is if left unchecked! Help me get him away from here before it's too late!" He pointed at the Igarashi family. "I don't know how long you've been with them, but surely you must know where he is! And if not, it's your duty to make them talk! Or does your oath of service to our master mean nothing to you? Did you forsake that as well when you ran away?"
"Strangely, I think my oath might mean a lot more to me than it ever did to you," Azuma growled. "However, you're right, I am a loyal servant of Giff. And so…" He turned to face the Igarashi family. "Igarashi family. Do you happen to know the whereabouts of Lord Giff?"
He gave them a wink.
They stared at him, confused. And then…
"Nope, not a clue," Ikki said suddenly. "In fact, I haven't seen him all day!"
"What?!" Akaishi exclaimed.
"Ikki, what are you-" Vice started.
"But we did meet a long-lost relative we've never known about, Cousin Giffrey!" Ikki continued, winking at everyone else. "Isn't that right?"
It took a moment, but everyone quickly caught on. "Oh… Oh, yes, of course! Cousin Giffrey!" Genta cried, smacking his forehead. "I completely forgot about him!"
"What… What is this, what are you-" Akaishi stammered.
"Papa Igarashi, how could you ever forget about Giffrey? He's such a character!" George laughed. "Whose body has so many fascinating scientific applications!"
"Ook," grunted Georgina.
"He may be even more awkward than I am, and that's saying something!" Tamaki exclaimed.
"He has a number of strange and outdated ideas of how the world works and what it means to be human, but he's open-minded enough to accept new input and admit that he might be wrong and needs to change his way of looking at things," Astarte added.
"He's really a sweet guy, love!" Lovekov cheered. "He got rid of a mean barker, and helped me get a plushy for Astarte, and rescued me from bullies!"
"He may seem like a dumbass at times, but he's actually a great listener and can sometimes offer pretty good advice," Vice recalled.
"He's a complicated guy who just wants to be loved, and doesn't really understand the best way to go about getting it," Sakura said fondly.
"… Are you all serious right now?!" Daiji shrieked.
"The hell's gotten into you all?! What are you trying to protect Giff from? He doesn't need it!" Olteca pointed out. "Hana, you of all people should hate him! Remember how you were going to be sacrificed to him? How he slapped you when you confessed your feelings?"
Hana glared at Olteca. "You're right. Giff isn't my favorite person in the world… But cousin Giffrey? He's all right in my book!"
Olteca stared at her in disbelief.
"Have you all lost it?!" Akaishi demanded. "You should be working with me on this! Neither of us wants to see Giff destroy humanity! We need to get him out of here to protect everyone!"
"Are you truly that worried our Lord will hurt people, old friend?" Azuma pushed. "Or are you more concerned that he will see there is more to the world and its people then you have led him to believe? More, perhaps, then you yourself think?"
"… Are you even listening to yourself?! You're the one who gave up on humanity, remember?!" Akaishi shouted.
"And I'm willing to admit that may have been a mistake. Are you willing to do the same?" Azuma replied.
"Even bigger burn!" Vice chortled.
"… Enough of this!" Akaishi snapped. "If you will not help us find Lord Giff, then we shall simply find him ourselves, even if it means tearing down this entire park to do so!"
Genta glared at Daiji. "You hear that, son? He's threatening to do the exact same thing he seemed to be worried Giff would do. Are you sure that's the sort of man you want to keep following?"
Daiji faltered. "I-"
"You're really going to help him, Daiji? This park holds so many great memories for our family! How can you continue to stand at his side as he threatens that?!" Ikki demanded.
Daiji clenched his fist, trembling. "This… This is on your heads! You're the ones who brought Giff here in the first place! You're the ones who put everyone here in danger!"
Sakura shook her head in disgust. "Looks like he needs another dose of tough love."
"Kuzu," Lovekov sneered.
"Okay, that time I know you were talking about him!" Vice said in relief.
"You really think this is going to go any differently than the last several times we've fought you?" Hana jeered. "We still have you beat in numbers and power! And bringing Olteca to help is just going to make us even more inclined to cream you!"
Olteca grinned. "Oh, but Aguilera, what makes you think I'm the only former Deadmans executive here?"
Hana stiffened, and Tamaki gasped. "No… you don't mean…!"
Olteca snapped his fingers, and a portal to Giff's dimension opened. Three men stepped through.
Three familiar men.
Vice gasped. "It's Yasushi Kudo!"
"And Amahiko Haitani!" Sakura spat in disgust.
"And…um…" Tamaki frowned, staring at the man wearing the face of the Yujiro Wakabayashi. "Lady Hana, what was the real name of the Chameleon Deadman again? I'm drawing a blank."
"It was…uh…" Hana blinked. "I, uh, I don't remember either. Sorry, this is kind of embarrassing… Did we ever actually learn his real name?"
"My old name means nothing," the unnamed man sneered. "I am the Chameleon Deadman, and that is all that matters!"
Genta gave Daiji a disappointed look. "And now you're going to work with these madmen too?! After all the time you spent fighting them?"
Daiji looked away, ashamed.
"It's been a long time, Sakura Igarashi. I'm ready to settle the score!" Amahiko declared.
"I'll make you pay for what you did to me, Ikki!" Yasushi snarled.
Ikki stared at him blankly. "I'm… I'm sorry, who are you again?"
Yasushi stared in disbelief. "I'm… I'm Yasushi Kudo. Your nemesis! You exposed me as a fraud? I made you second guess yourself by pointing out your hypocrisy? I became the Sabertiger Deadman?!"
Ikki paled, realizing everyone was giving him confused and alarmed looks. "Um…uhhhhh…"
Laughing a little too loudly, Vice wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "His nemesis? Please, don't flatter yourself! Ikki's fought so many guys bigger and badder than you, you can't possibly expect him to remember a small fry like you!"
"S-small fry?!" Yasushi shrieked.
"Don't let him get to you, Kudo," Akaishi sniffed, adjusting his jacket. "You have all become stronger, due to all the months you've spent immersed in Giff's domain. The Igarashi family will not defeat you as easily as they did in the past!"
"It's cute that you think that," Vice jeered. "Ikki, let's show them how much stronger we've gotten!"
Ikki nodded, producing the Giffard Rex Vistamp and breathing on it. "Right! I'm feeling it now!"
Hana gave Sakura a worried look as she produced the God Dragon Vistamp Vistamp. "Sakura, are you sure?"
Sakura hesitated, then took a deep breath and nodded. "Yeah. Even if I lose my humanity… So long as I have you and Lovekov and everyone else at my side… Then it'll be okay."
Everyone strapped on their Drivers and primed their Vistamps.
REVICE DRIVER!
LIBERA DRIVER!
DESTREAM DRIVER!
WEEK ENDRIVER!
GIFFARD REX!
GOD DRAGON!
HERCULES!
QUEEN BEE!
"HENSHIN!"
COME ON! ULTIMATE UP! OVERFLOWING HOT PASSION! WHAT IN THE DEVIL? THE TWO OF US ARE EQUAL! THE UNIVERSE'S POWER IS ETERNAL! KAMEN RIDER! REVI! VICE! LET'S GO! COME ON! GIFFA! GIFFA! GIFFARD REX!
WHAT'S COMING UP? GOD UP! DRAGON UP! WOW! THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN! KAMEN! RIDER! ARC! JA! JA! JA! JA! JA! JA! JA! JA! ARC JEANNE!
SPIRIT UP! SLASH! STING! SPIRAL! STRONG! KAMEN RIDER DESTREAM!
SUBVERT UP! WOW! JUST BELIEVE IN MYSELF! KAMEN RIDER! AH~! AGUILERA!
Ampaz gasped in amazement and George laughed and clapped his hands like a child. "This is gonna be great!"
"So this is the form the heroes of this age have taken…" Azuma murmured, impressed.
"Spectacular, aren't they?" Astarte agreed, winking at Lovekov, who giggled and blew a kiss at her.
Yasushi and Amahiko balked. "Uh… Wow. Okay. They, uh, they all look a lot stronger than I expected."
"Can we actually do this?" Amahiko wondered uneasily.
"Of course you can, all of you have become strong enough you're practically Phase 5 Deadmans by now!" Akaishi insisted.
"Is that actually a thing?" The Chameleon Deadman wondered.
"It is now!" He nodded at Daiji. "Lead them off! Transform!"
"Daiji… Please, don't," Ikki pleaded. "You know this is wrong!"
Daiji hesitated.
TWO SIDRIVER!
"I'll decide between right and wrong," he said solemnly.
HOLY WING!
WING UP! HOLY UP! WIND! WING! WINNING! HOLY! HOLY! HOLY! HOLY! HOLY LIVE!
SABERTIGER!
PLANARIAN!
CHAMELEON!
Daiji transformed into Holy Live while the Deadmans executives all transformed into their monster forms and Akaishi changed into his Giffdemos state.
Olteca grinned, producing two handfuls of Giff Junior Vistamps, and stamped them on the ground.
JUNIOR!
Dozens of Giff Juniors manifested from geoglyphs, and it was about that time the nearby parkgoers realized this might be a good time to start running and screaming.
Startled, Daiji glared at Olteca. "Olteca! Why?!"
"Hey, the park's a big place, we're going to need some help finding Lord Giff in all this, don't you think?" He jeered. "And if a few people get hurt and a few rides get destroyed, oh well, them's the breaks, right?"
Daiji trembled with rage. "You…"
"Olteca! This time we're going to make sure you die!" Hana snapped.
"You can try," Olteca taunted.
"Tamaki, get Ampaz out of here!" Ikki ordered. "You too, George!"
"But I want to see the fight!" George protested.
"NOW!"
"Okay, fine, I guess I can watch from a safe distance," he grumbled as Georgina picked him up and loped away, Tamaki and Ampaz hurrying after him.
"Astarte, Azuma, help keep the civilians safe," Sakura commanded.
"And find Cousin Giffrey! And Yukimi!" Genta added.
"You can count on us," the ancient demon promised, Azuma nodding in agreement..
"Azuma! This is treason!" Akaishi shouted.
"Treason? No. Lord Giff has grown fond of this place, and would not want anyone to get hurt, so I am merely enforcing his will," Azuma insisted. "If anything, you're the traitor, for acting in such a brazen and disreputable manner without his approval. We'll see which of us he thinks is in the right when he returns."
Akaishi growled, and Yasushi stepped forward. "Enough of this! Ikki, I'll make you remember me!"
"Sakura! This will be our last battle!" Amahiko declared.
"Aguilera! I… Actually don't have any strong feelings one way or the other towards you, but I guess I'll be your opponent," the Chameleon decided.
"I'd rather fight Olteca, but if I have to get to you to do so, that's fine with me!" Hana decided, brandishing her daggers.
"Guess that leaves Akaishi and Daiji to me," Genta said cracking his knuckles. "Igarashi family! Let's do this!"
"YEAH!" All the Riders cheered, racing towards their enemies.
George, recording everything on his phone from over Georgina's shoulder, was breathing heavily, glasses fogging up. "So cool."
And unbeknownst to all of them, the eye in the center of the Zea Wheel gleamed, the intelligence behind it observing with interest as it alerted those it had put its faith in about the events transpiring before it.