Episode 1: Enter the Dragon Knight
Night had fallen over the city, and many people were on their way home after a day of work. A woman was preparing for bed in her apartment when she noticed something unusual about her reflection. Around her neck were strange rope-like strings that weren't visible in the real world. Curious, she reached out to touch the mirror and saw the rope-like strings pulling back at her! Suddenly, a gigantic spider appeared in the reflection! The woman turned to look behind her, but there was nothing there! But before the woman could even run, the spider monster began pulling the strings from inside the mirror and dragging her towards it!
Outside of the apartment complex, a man and woman heard the woman's screaming. The man was clad in dark grey pants, black shoes, a black turtleneck, and a black leather coat. This was Ren Akiyama.
'So this is its feeding ground.' Ren thought as he dashed off towards the nearest window!
The woman who was accompanying Ren had short brown hair, and was clad in a pair of jeans with a light brown sweater and cap. This was Yui. And she watched as the shadow of a bat-like figure stood in Ren's place before he seemingly vanished.
'Please.' Yui thought as she clasped her hands together. 'Don't let him be too late!'
The next day, news of the woman's disappearance had been spreading. However, this was far from an isolated event. Rather, the woman from last night was simply the latest victim in a string of mysterious disappearances. All of which showed no signs of struggle and occurred behind closed doors. This story was something many newspapers and their reporters were keen to investigate. One such reporter being Reiko Momoi of the ORE Journal. Currently, Reiko was on the phone with her boss, Daisuke Okubo.
"These disappearances are quite the hot topic, chief." Reiko informed Daisuke. "I'm not having too much trouble investigating, but having an extra pair of hands to gather info would certainly help."
"Well if it's help you're looking for, why don't I send Kido your way?" Daisuke Okubo said from the other end of the call. "He's our newest member, and he's quite enthusiastic about working at ORE."
"Sending me Shinji, huh?" Reiko asked. "Well, the newbie's got to learn at some point."
"I'll call him up now. In the meantime, you try to gather whatever info you can get." Daisuke said before hanging up and dialing Shinji's number. "Shinji. I'm having you assist Reiko with her investigation. It's related to the disappearances that've been going on lately."
"Really? I'll be right there!" Shinji replied from over the line. "But I might be a few minutes."
"Hm?" Daisuke raised an eyebrow. "And why's that?"
"I. . . might have gotten into a little accident on the road." Shinji answered.
"Huh?!" Daisuke's eyes widened. "Are you hurt?!"
"No, no! I'm alright!" Shinji quickly answered. "Same goes for the guy who hit my bike! I've been trying to help him out with checking for damages."
"You're a good kid, Shinji." Daisuke sighed with a small smile. "But try not to keep Reiko waiting too long, okay?"
"Yes, chief!" Shinji said with an enthusiastic nod before hanging up and returning his attention to the truck driver who hit his bike. "So is everything alright with your truck?"
"Yeah, nothing serious." The driver answered. "What about yours?"
"Let me see." Shinji walked over to his motorbike and turned on the ignition. "She'll still run. And sorry about earlier!"
Shinji raced over to Reiko's location: The apartment complex where the woman from the night before had gone missing. When he arrived, Shinji noticed Reiko tailing a couple of police officers who were doing an investigation of their own. Unfortunately, Shinji didn't know he was supposed to be quiet.
"Hey, Reiko! I made it!"
"Shinji!" Reiko hissed as the officers were alerted to her presence.
A few seconds later, Reiko and Shinji were kicked out of the apartment complex while being chewed out by the police.
"I apologize for the actions of my junior." Reiko said with a bow with Shinji following suit. Once the officers left to return to their investigation, Reiko sighed. "Well, so much for gathering data on the disappearance of Megumi Ida."
"I'm really sorry Reiko." Shinji said as he scratched his head.
"Observation is supposed to be silent, Shinji!" Reiko scolded before letting out another sigh. "But you're still new at this, so I guess I can give you a pass. So. You want to help out?"
"You bet!" Shinji beamed! "Tell me what I can do to help weed out the culprit behind these disappearances!"
"Here." Reiko said with a smile as she handled Shinji a list of names. "It's list of missing people. I'd like you to go to each address. I know it doesn't sound as exciting or glamorous as tailing the cops, but-"
"There are no small parts in following a story." Shinji finished. "It's fine Reiko. Plus, I did just botch your investigation earlier. Besides, maybe there could be a connection between the locations."
"You learn quickly, Shinji." Reiko giggled. "Maybe that's why Chief Okubo brought you on board so fast. Well, good luck to you!"
Shinji nodded as he proceeded with his task. Looking over the list to see who might be closest.
"Koichi Sakakibara. He lived not too far from here." Shinji noted. "Well, I know where my first stop's going to be."
Shinji wasted no time in heading over to the man's apartment. When he went inside, Shinji noticed something unusual. All of the mirrors in the apartment were covered in newspapers. The windows were also covered. As Shinji continued his search, he felt his foot brush against something on the floor. Pausing to examine what he'd made contact with, Shinji looked down and saw a strange deck lying on the floor.
'What have we got here?' Shinji thought as he knelt down and picked up the deck.
Inside the deck were three cards. One depicting a basic-looking sword, one was grey and had the word "CONTRACT" at the top of it, and the last card looked like a swirling void with the word "SEAL" written at the top.
"Just what are these cards for?" Shinji asked before shaking his head. "Might as well see if there's anything outside that can give me some clues."
Shinji headed outside, the card deck still in hand. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. That is, until Shinji looked up at one of the nearby skyscrapers and saw a red dragon in the reflection of its windows. The dragon appeared to notice Shinji as well, and emerged from the window before flying right towards him! Frightened, Shinji braced himself for impact! However, the dragon was repelled by a bubble generated by the deck that formed around Shinji! The bubble repelled the dragon, but the force sent Shinji flying through the apartment's window! Shinji let out a groan as he picked himself up, but was surprised to see the dragon hovering outside the window. It didn't make a move to attack him. Instead, it just floated in the air and stared at him. Like it was evaluating Shinji for something. All Shinji could do was stare right back at it.
That is, until the landlord came stomping in with a cross expression on his face. Needless to say, Shinji had to call Reiko to help bail him out of the mess he'd caused. Reiko wasted no time getting into her car. But, in the reflection of the car's mirror, a rope-like substance could be seen around her neck. Something that was noticed by Yui and Ren. The pair looked on worriedly as Reiko drove off.
"Ren." Yui began.
"I know." Ren nodded. "We'll tail her immediately. That monster's after mobile prey now."
Meanwhile, Reiko had arrived at Shinji's location to bail him out for the second time today. It went without saying she was pretty annoyed with him.
"Your track record is abysmal today, Shinji." Reiko sighed. "I know you don't mean to cause trouble, but it sure does a good job of finding you! For your sake and mine, just head home. At this rate, you could be thrown in jail!"
"I. . . think I'll do just that." Shinji said as he looked down at the deck. But before he could leave, a mysterious ringing came from all around!
EEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeEEEEEEeeeee!
Shinji covered his ears as he grimaced at the ringing! When he looked about for the source of the ringing, his eyes went wide when he saw the rope around Reiko's neck in a nearby reflection! Concerned for his senior's safety, Shinji immediately followed after Reiko on his motorbike! Shinji's pursuit led him to a parking lot. Coincidentally, that's also where Yui and Ren had arrived from their own tailing efforts. Yui and Ren were a bit puzzled as to why Shinji was frantically looking into at the reflections in the mirrors, but it soon hit them: Shinji could see monsters just like them.
"Yui." Ren said. "I'm going after that spider. You keep an eye on the guy who's snooping around."
Yui nodded as Ren ran off to nearby window before turning her attention to Shinji. This was the first time she'd ever encountered anyone who was able to see into the Mirror World besides herself and Ren. Yui had her suspicions, but she wanted to be certain.
"Excuse me!" Yui called out as she approached Shinji. "Are you. . . a Kamen Rider?"
"Huh?" Shinji tilted his head in confusion. "What do you mean?"
Before Yui could answer, Shinji's deck began to glow!
"What the-?!" Shinji exclaimed before he was sucked into the nearby car window's reflection!
"AAAAAAHHHH!" Shinji screamed as he fell through a strange space!
As he traveled, strange armor materialized around him and the deck was snugly cradled by a strange belt around his waist! A moment later, and Shinji was spat out from the car window!
"Ngh. . . " Shinji groaned as he sat up. "Man, what was-hm?"
Shinji patted himself all over, and was shocked to see the strange gray armor that enveloped him! Once he got to his feet, Shinji took a look around and noticed that everything looked almost exactly the same. But what tipped him off that things weren't what they appeared was the fact that all the words on the signs were mirrored!
"W-Where am I?!" Shinji thought out loud. If Shinji thought today couldn't get much worse, he was wrong. Very wrong.
Not a moment after he'd been tossed into the Mirror World, the giant spider that had been stalking Reiko noticed Shinji! Not wanting to waste effort and with easy prey right in front of it, the spider began advancing toward Shinji! Faced with such a horrible sight, Shinji panicked and ran away!
Meanwhile, in the real world, Ren was observing the Mirror World through a window and noticed Shinji's plight. However, aiding Shinji wasn't Ren's main priority as he fished out a similar card deck to the one Shinji had. Only this one had a golden bat emblem on it. Ren thrust out the deck, and a strange belt appeared in the mirror before attaching to Ren's waist! Once the belt was secure, Ren flexed his right arm before throwing it across his chest!
"HENSHIN!" Ren cried out as he slotted the deck into the belt!
A phantom image of bat-themed armor circled around Ren before solidifying into the armor of Kamen Rider Knight! The armor's undersuit was a dark blue while the boots were black. The helmet had a series of vertical slits over the eye region, which added to theme of the armor being like a knight while also retaining the bat motif with a pair of "ears" that helped anchor the grill to the helmet. Wasting no time, Ren jumped into the mirror and vanished in a flash of light! In the space between the real and Mirror World, a strange pod-like vehicle sat waiting for Knight. Knight mounted the vehicle and raced off towards the spider monster's location!
"Come! Darkwing!" Knight called out as he rode through the space between! Answering his call was a giant bat that let out a screech before speeding ahead of him!
Soon enough, Knight exited the space between and drove right into the spider monster! Ramming it with the vehicle and knocking it away! While Ren prepared himself by drawing a card from his deck, Darkwing kept the spider occupied.
"Thanks for the save!" Shinji called out as he approached Ren. Earning a puzzled look from the knight-themed rider. "I thought I was gonna be spider food!"
Knight paused to look at Shinji and was surprised to see that Shinji's armor was so plain-looking.
"So you haven't formed a contract with a monster yet." Knight noted. "You won't last long as a blank."
"Wait, we can contract these things?!" Shinji exclaimed. "How?!"
"You've got all the cards you need in hand." Knight answered as he pulled a section on the guard of his rapier the darkvisor, opening the wings of the stylized bat. He then slotted the card in before slamming the visor shut!
"SWORD VENT!" The darkvisor announced as the card was slotted in
Darkwing let out a screech before flying towards Knight and dropping down a black lance into Knight's hands! Knight then charged at the spider monster! Blocking its leg stabs with his lance before using it to strike the monster!
Shinji, amazed by what he had just witnessed, drew a card from his deck and looked to the plain gauntlet on his arm. Looking at the card he drew, Shinji saw a plain-looking sword.
"Okay. I think I got how this works now!" Shinji said confidently as he slotted the card into his blank visor!
"SWORD VENT!" The visor announced! Shortly after, a plain sword fell from the sky and embedded itself in the ground near Shinji. Shinji picked up the sword and charged at the spider monster!
"YAAAAAHHHH!" Shinji screamed as he charged forward!
"Wait!" Knight called out in warning! But it was too late.
The minute Shinji swung his sword at the spider, the blade broke in two! Shinji could only blink in disbelief at what just happened! He was so stunned that he didn't notice the spider swinging one of its legs at him until it was too late! The spider swatted Shinji back towards Knight! Reacting quickly, Knight used the handle of his lance to knock Shinji to the side!
"The spider's my prey." Knight declared as he drew a new card. This one had his symbol on it with a dark blue background! Wasting no time, Knight slotted the card into the darkvisor!
"FINAL VENT!" The darkvisor announced!
Knight ran forward with his lance before Darkwing let out a screech and attached to his back! Forming a cape! Knight leaped into the air, and aimed his lance down at the spider! As Knight descended, the cape of Darkwing wrapped around him before spiraling down towards the spider! Piercing through the monster like a drill! The spider exploded upon dying, and Knight stood triumphant as the smoke cleared! Although, something felt a bit off.
'There's no orb of energy?' Knight thought to himself as he stared at where the monster once stood before turning to leave.
"Hey!" Shinji called out! "How did you get in this place? Where are we?! What was that thing?! And how do I get out of here?!"
". . . We're in the Mirror World." Knight answered. "It exists behind every reflection. What you just saw was a Mirror Monster. They're the locals. And they're hungry."
"For what?" Shinji asked.
"Humans." Knight answered bluntly. "And as for getting in and out of here, just find a reflective surface. It doesn't have to be the same one you came in through. Any will do. For anyone holding an advent deck, at least."
"So that's what this thing's called." Shinji muttered as he brushed a finger against his advent deck. "Well thanks for-"
Shinji didn't get to properly thank Knight for his help as the red dragon from earlier let out a roar!
"You again?!" Shinji gasped!
"Probably upset that I killed the spider." Knight guessed. "Get out now! If you don't want to get roasted!"
Knight leapt back into the mirror he came from, and vanished from sight! Just barely dodging a fireball from the dragon! Shinji was panicking as he made a dash for the same mirror that Knight had gone through, but was blocked off by another fireball from the dragon! Once again, Shinji was face-to-face with the dragon. And like before, the dragon appeared to be studying him.
"What do you want from me?" Shinji thought out loud. Then, it hit him. "Wait!"
Shinji reached into his advent deck, and pulled out the seal card. Upon displaying the card, the dragon reeled back and growled in discomfort!
"Don't like this card much, huh? Well, see ya!" Shinji remarked as he bolted off to the nearest car!
The dragon roared in frustration as it flew after Shinji! Shooting fireballs in order to try and cut off his escape! One fireball hitting the car Shinji had planned on using to escape! Seeing no other way out, Shinji dove into the nearest car window just as the dragon was closing in! Narrowly escaping its claws!
Shinji was immediately spat out into the real world free from the armor he'd been wearing! Panting with exhaustion, he slowly rose to his full height as Yui approached him.
"Oh, you. . . again." Shinji panted. "Did you see what was going on in the mirrors too? You also asked me if I was a Kamen Rider earlier. What's that? And does it have something to do with the card deck I found?"
"I can't tell you everything right now." Yui said as she pulled out a card. "But come to this address as soon as you can, and I'll tell you everything I know about the Mirror World, the Kamen Riders, and the monsters."
Before Shinji could get in any further questions, Ren showed up on his motorcycle.
"Yui!" Ren called out. "We're headed back. There was something weird about today's fight."
"Coming Ren!" Yui called back before turning to Shinji one last time. "Stop by as soon as you can."
Shinji just watched as the pair drove off. Leaving him with even more questions than before.
"Well, she said to stop by as soon as I can." Shinji said as he looked at the address on the card he'd been given. "Now's as good a time as any."
Mounting his motorbike, Shinji sped off towards the address listed on the card he'd been given. However, in the Mirror World, the remains of the spider monster began to reform and take on a more monstrous shape. Where the spider's head once was now replaced with a humanoid upper body. And it scaled up the nearby building in search of new prey.
Meanwhile, Shinji had just arrived at the address on the card Yui had given him. He was surprised to see the address was a café of all things, but disregarded that fact. He needed answers. And the longer he waited to get them, the worse things might get. Without any second thoughts, Shinji opened the café's door.
"Hello!' Yui greeted. "Welcome to-. . . it's you."
"Glad I made it before the rush." Shinji joked before pulling up a seat at the bar. "You said you had answers for me. I only got a few things from the guy who looked like a knight earlier."
"If we weren't being chased by a dragon, I'd have answered your questions." Ren said as he pulled up a seat at the bar. "Glad to see the dragon didn't devour you."
"Well, it wasn't trying to eat me." Shinji began. "In fact, it was almost like it was studying me."
"Great. Something else unusual today." Ren sighed. "Well, Yui? He's being tailed by a Mirror Monster. Care to explain things to him?"
"I was just about to tell him, Ren. But introductions are in order." Yui said. "My name is Yui Kanzaki. You've already met Ren in the Mirror World. His Rider identity is Kamen Rider Knight."
"I'm Shinji Kido. Intern at the ORE Journal." Shinji introduced himself as he produced a business card for ORE Journal from his pocket. "Nice to meet both of you."
"Likewise." Yui smiled. "Now for your answers. Ren already told you that the world behind the mirrors is called the Mirror World. Its inhabitants are the Mirror Monsters. There's tons of them living there, and they're all hungry. And only one thing satiates their appetite: Each other and humans."
"Then why don't they all just devour each other?" Shinji asked. "Why not just feed on each other and stick with a food chain on their side of the mirror instead of snatching and eating people?!"
"I don't know." Yui sighed. "Furthermore, I know there's some sort of connection between me and the Mirror World. You noticed I was staring into the mirrors earlier, right? That's because I can see into the Mirror World without an advent deck."
"But I'm guessing you don't know what that connection is. Am I right?" Shinji asked.
"Yes." Yui nodded. "As for the Mirror Monsters, they can enter and exit our world from any reflective surface to drag their targets back into the Mirror World to devour them. They're also relentless. Once they set their sights of their prey, they won't stop until either they get it or they're destroyed."
"This must be where the decks come in." Shinji concluded.
"The advent decks are the source of a Kamen Rider's power." Yui confirmed. "By contracting with a monster, that monster becomes their partner and shares its power with them. The decks also allow passage into the Mirror World through any reflective surface."
"Yeah. Ren mentioned that too." Shinji nodded. "But he said that going through any reflection worked for Riders only. Why's that?"
"That also has to do with why the Mirror Monsters drag their targets back to the Mirror World." Yui answered. "The Mirror World's environment isn't meant for humans. Its very air makes a regular person dissolve. And all the easier for Mirror Monsters to eat. The dissolving is slow, so there's a chance for the person to escape. However, they can only exit through the same mirror they came through, so there is a chance to escape. Unfortunately, most of the time the monster is already fast at work devouring them."
"Oh." Shinji said sadly before pulling out his advent deck and fished out the card that the dragon recoiled from earlier. Placing the deck on "Hey. You said that contracts can be made with monsters, right? So what's this one do?"
"The seal card." Yui said as she examined the card. "It can be used to ward off Mirror Monsters or seal them away. Unfortunately, there aren't that many that I know of. And chances are the other Kamen Riders out there have disposed of their own."
Shinji scratched his head as he digested all the information he'd been given. He'd gotten his answers, but a revelation hit him as he pieced the information together with the story he'd been helping Reiko investigate.
"Wait a minute. . . the disappearances!" Shinji exclaimed in revelation! "All the victims disappeared without a trace and with no signs of struggle! They must have been eaten by the Mirror Monsters! They're what's behind the disappearances!"
"You catch on quickly." Ren nodded.
"If that's the case, then I have to fight!" Shinji said as he clenched his fists! "With the deck, I-"
"Don't need to worry about anything." Ren said with a smirk as he put a hand on Shinji's shoulder. "I'll take care of the dragon that's been stalking you. You just leave the deck with Yui and me. Just go back to your regular life, Kido. Trust me. You don't want to get involved in this."
"He's already involved, Ren." Yui stated. "That dragon's following him. But, it's strange that it hasn't attacked you or tried to eat you."
"Well, thanks for answering my questions." Shinji said with a small smile. "No use telling this to anyone. It's not like they'll believe me."
"Wait." Yui put her hand on Shinji's. "Before you go, I have a question of my own. Do you know a man called Shiro Kanzaki?"
"No." Shinji shook his head. "I haven't heard that name before. But I'm guessing he's related to you?"
"He's my brother." Yui answered. "But I won't bother you with the details now. Like Ren said, it's best you head on home and forget about this."
"I don't think anyone could forgot the things I've seen today." Shinji chuckled lightly.
Shinji gathered his things, and headed back to his apartment. Unfortunately, it seems the events of today were far from done with him. As he rode, Shinji heard the same ringing as when the spider had been stalking Reiko.
'That noise again!' Shinji thought to himself as he hit the brakes! 'That means someone's in trouble!'
For a moment, Shinji reflected back on when Ren fought the spider monster. He'd been in awe of Ren's strength. If all he needed to do was make a contract with a monster, then he'd have the same kind of power. Power that he could use to fight the Mirror Monsters and protect people. And, just maybe, the chance to fulfill his dream. When Shinji was a kid, he loved superheroes. He always looked up to how they would use their powers for the good of others and save them. It was his dream to one day be like them. However, as Shinji grew up, he realized he couldn't do the same sort of feats they could do, but his desire to do the right thing and bring out the truth led him to ORE journal. But now? That distant dream, that seemingly impossible wish, was in his hands. Wasting no time, Shinji sped off towards the site of the attack! Using the mirror noise as an indicator for how far away he was! As he raced off to the scene of the attack, Shinji caught the dragon following him out of the corner of his eye.
Meanwhile, Ren had transformed into Kamen Rider Knight and entered the Mirror World. He was surprised to see the respawned spider's additional humanoid upper half, and even more surprised when it shot spikes at him from the three red orbs on its chest! Using the darkvisor to knock the spikes away, Knight drew a card from his deck and slotted it into the visor! Summoning his lance, the Winglancer!
Yui was watching Knight's fight through the windows. Concern was visible on her face as she witnessed Knight's difficulty in dealing with the spider. It had obviously grown stronger since reforming. But it seemed help had arrived in the form of Shinji joining her on the rooftop.
"Shinji!" Yui gasped at seeing him on the scene.
"You told me that if I made a contract with a monster that I could fight like Ren." Shinji said as he stepped up to the window and saw Ren have Darkwing attach to his back and act as a pair of wings! Dodging the flurry of spikes that the spider shot from its humanoid portion's chest! "If it means that I can have the power to protect people, then I'll make a contract!"
"Shinji. . . " Yui said in amazement. She knew of Ren's reason for taking up an advent deck. It was one she could greatly understand. But to hear someone would take an advent deck to protect others? Something about that brought joy to Yui's heart as she pulled out Shinji's advent deck from her pocket. "There's one last thing you should know. Once you contract with a monster, you can't go back. Knowing this, do you still want to go through with it?"
Yui had taken out the Seal and Contract advent cards as she presented the deck to Shinji. Shinji paused for a moment as he looked at Ren's fight through the mirror. If the Kamen Riders were the only ones who could fight the Mirror Monsters, then they would need as many riders as possible. If Knight fell here, then that would mean the monsters would have the chance to feed on more people. That was something that Shinji refused to let happen! Nodding resolutely, Shinji took the Seal card and ripped it up!
Shinji took the advent deck, and looked up towards a nearby window. The dragon that was following him poked its head out of the mirror and stared expectantly at Shinji.
"Maybe this is why you've been following me all day." Shinji said to the dragon as he raised the Contract card and faced it towards the monster! "Then let's ride!"
The dragon let out a small growl of approval before flying out of the window and into the Contract card! Shinji closed his eyes as a bright light engulfed him! When he opened them, he found himself in a void with the red dragon hovering in front of him. The dragon circled Shinji a few times before coiling around him and vanishing in a flash of light! When the light faded, Shinji was in the same grey armor he'd sported when he first stumbled into the Mirror World. But not for long.
A golden dragon emblem appeared on his helmet, and the gauntlet on his left forearm shifted and changed to resemble the head of the red dragon he'd contracted with! His deck gaining a golden dragon emblem in the process! In an instant, Shinji's grey armor turned a bright red! Now contracted with the dragon, Shinji was now Kamen Rider Ryuki!
Back in the Mirror World, Knight was still dodging fire from the spider! However, the spider shout out a blast of webbing that wrapped up Knight and sending him plummeting to the ground! The spider let out a pleased his before leaping down from the building's side and stalking toward Knight! Spikes slowly emerging from the three red orbs on the spider's chest as it crawled towards Knight!
From underneath his helment, Knight closed his eyes as he braced for what looked like the end.
'Eri. . . ' Knight thought as he prepared for the spikes to pierce his armor!
But the spikes never reached their target. A figure jumped in front of Knight, and knocked the spikes aside with punches and kicks! Knight opened his eyes, and saw a red Kamen Rider standing in front of him! Ryuki had arrived on the scene! Seeing a way out in front of him, Knight did the only thing he could do.
"Use your advent cards!" Knight advised while he was bound by the webbing!
"Right!" Ryuki nodded as he drew a card! "Let's try this again!"
The card depicted a Chinese-styled sword on it. Ryuki slotted it into his gauntlet, the dragvisor!
"SWORD VENT!" The visor announced as the weapon depicted on the card fell down from the sky and flew into Ryuki's hand! This was the Dragsaber!
Ryuki charged at the spider! Using the Dragsaber to knock away any spikes the spider shot at him! Once he was in slashing range, Ryuki lashed out at the spider! Slashing at the chest of its humanoid section! The spider screeched in agony as it staggered back! Weakened from Ryuki's assault!
"FINISH IT!" Knight cried out as he writhed in his web prison!
Ryuki drew another card, and saw that the one he drew had his emblem on it with a bright red background! Wasting no time, Ryuki slotted in the card!
"FINAL VENT!" The dragvisor announced!
Suddenly, Shinji felt his body move on its own! He crouched down with his left arm bent in front of him, and his right arm pulled back! The dragon coiled around Ryuki before he leaped into the air and flipped with the dragon flying around him protectively! Ryukii then positioned himself into a flying kick pose with the dragon launching him via a fireball!
"HAAAAAAAAA!" Ryuki screamed as he shot forward like a bullet into the spider! The kick striking the spider so hard it exploded! Upon its defeat, an energy orb floated up from where the spider once stood. The dragon eagerly flew towards the orb and devoured it before flying away.
With the spider now dead, the webbing on Knight had dissolved. Picking himself up, Knight saw Ryuki approaching him.
"So you finally made a contract." Knight noted.
"Sure did." Ryuki nodded. "Man! That dragon's flames really pack a punch! I'm just glad he's on my side now!"
"There's a good chance we'll be crossing paths again." Knight stated. "But, it'd be easier to crush you now."
"What?!" Ryuki asked. Stunned by Knight's words. He barely had time to dodge a swing from Knight's lance! "Hey! Stop! The monster's dead now! Why are you fighting me?!"
"You already know why." Knight coldly answered. "Every Rider who received an advent deck knows why they have to fight."
"But I wasn't given the deck!" Ryuki claimed as he dodged another stab of Knight's lance! "The decks were made to protect people, weren't they?!"
"No they weren't. And what do you mean you didn't receive the deck?" Knight demanded as he stopped mid-swing, but kept the point of his lance aimed at Ryuki.
"I found the deck when I was investigating the apartment of one of the Mirror Monsters' victims!" Ryuki answered as he kept his hands up in front of himself as a sign of surrender. "I was searching for information, and I found the deck lying on the floor! I picked it up, and I noticed the red dragon in the mirror not long after that! That's what led me to meet you and Yui! I swear! I just stumbled into this whole thing!"
Hearing this made Knight freeze. His whole body had a barely noticeable tremble after hearing Ryuki's story. Knight was more than aware of what he was involved in when he received his advent deck. But Ryuki? He took up a deck by complete accident, and had no idea what he was involved in. Though it couldn't be seen, Knight felt just about ready to puke his guts out over what he almost did.
"You. . . really don't know Yui's brother, do you?" Knight asked in a softer tone as he lowered his weapon. "That explains why you were so clueless when you first entered the Mirror World."
"Ren. Why were the advent decks made?" Ryuki asked. "If they aren't meant to be used for protecting people, then why were they made?!"
"Riders can't coexist." Knight answered. "That's the rule. . . of the Rider War."
"'Rider War'?" Ryuki asked. He was about to ask for an explanation, but Knight began to leave! "Hey! Where are you going?!"
"You must be an idiot." Knight huffed as he departed. "Wanting to pick a fight when you're already spent from dealing with a Mirror Monster."
"What happened to 'crushing me right now'?" Ryuki asked with his hands on his hips.
"Beating on a guy who's exhausted and weakened? Wouldn't call that a fight." Knight answered. A small smirk forming under his helmet. "Besides, wouldn't be very knightly of me to take out the guy who saved my hide."
And with that, Knight vanished through the mirror and returned to the real world. Leaving behind a confused Ryuki.
"Oh man." Ryuki groaned. "Just what kind of mess have I gotten myself into?"
Back in the real world, Yui breathed a sigh of relief as she watched Knight back off from fighting Ryuki. She couldn't help but smile at Ren as he returned.
"Good work out there today." Yui beamed.
"Thank the idiot." Ren said dismissively. "He's the one that killed the monster."
Sure enough, the pair saw Shinji approaching them.
"Ren!" Shinji called out. "I don't fully know everything that's going on. But, if you want to tell me, then I'm ready to hear it any time!"
"Fine." Ren shrugged. "But it'll cost you. 30,000 yen."
"Huh?!" Shinji exclaimed! "What for?!"
"Saving your hide when you first entered the Mirror World." Ren replied with a smirk.
"But I just saved you!" Shinji countered! "That makes us even!"
"Fine." Ren smirked. "It's actually for getting you your contract monster."
"I don't think you're going to win this fight Shinji." Yui giggled.
As the group departed, a lone figure paid particular attention to Shinji. It was a young man with black hair, a white shirt with a red jacket over it, and blank pants and shoes.
"I wonder. . . " The man said as he took a coin from his pocket and stared at Shinji. "Could he help change the fate of the other Kamen Riders?"
AN: Hey everyone! Sorry it took so long, but I finally got the first official chapter out! I meant to get it done over the holidays, but I had too much fun with some of the games I got as presents. But, it's finally here! Please read and review!