(Author's Note)
Hey guys! Merry Christmas!
Wow, Revice is... exceeding a lot of my expectations right now. I need to catch up, have about... 3 episodes to catch up on or something? I dunno. But yeah, it's great!
Anyways, a bit of a shorter chapter than normal, meant to have more but things came up and I wanted to get something out for Christmas so this felt like a decent enough of a place to leave this chapter off at.
Anyways, Reviews!
To Hauki: I'll start by saying you make a very good amount of points there, but I should make it clear that Ohma Zi-O isn't weaker here. If he truly wanted to revive someone, he would've. And the big issue with Salem is that she literally can't die. No matter what Ozpin's decade could throw at her, it wouldn't be enough. I figured I'd clear that bit up since you seemed... well, I'll say angerly confused over it in the reviews, which I completely understand.
To everyone else freaking out about the Kuuga Watch... Thank you, your confusion and/or excitement is greatly gratifying.
Onto the story!
"Ozpin-"
"James, we've had this discussion when he returned from the future. We've had this discussion when he was confirmed to have been the unwilling host of Another Faiz. I do not want to have this discussion once more." Ozpin said with a sigh, before picking up his mug. "I have no intention of ceasing my support of Mr. Bridged."
"I understand your hesitance." General Ironwood said, leaning forwards in his seat opposite Ozpin's desk. "But he is not fit for this, Ozpin. You've confirmed yourself prior to this moment that Bridged has had minimum, if not zero combat experience before coming to Beacon."
"I will admit to that point, but I have done more for him than I have for many of my other students." Ozpin countered, taking a sip of his drink before continuing. "He is currently in the middle of said help right now while he's barred from classes."
"I still don't like either of them as well." James said, glancing to the side. "3 humans from another world, all in such a short period of time?"
"I believe most of your grief with Professor Kiryu and Professor Banjou is based upon their grievances with you and your… Attempts at militarizing their rider system, among other things." Ozpin interjected, placing his cup down. "And after hearing what they've gone through in their old world, I am not exactly surprised by their lukewarm reception."
"Oz."
"I will admit… That the experiences Bryce Bridged went through in the future should not be ignored like you seem to believe I am doing." Ozpin said, leaning back in his chair. "However, I am not going to agree with what you're suggesting we do either."
"You received Professor Kisaragi's notes from the confession-"
"James, it was a therapy session-"
"He is clearly in no state to continue with this line of work. Barring the fact he does not have Aura, or at the very least what Aura he does have seems to be actively fighting him whenever it activates... Oz, I've had soldiers who were green, barely fresh out of training, be subjected to the sort of thing he went through. Most came out of those situations with drastic changes, some with minor ones, and very few who walked away unscaved. I just want to understand one thing, why haven't you pushed more?"
"...James."
"Answer me… Ozpin."
"...Because for the first time in what may as well be considered forever, I finally feel like everything I've worked towards will be able to bring humanity towards a future where we won't have to act behind shadows to protect the peace." Ozpin said, locking eyes with the general. "Tell me James, was there ever one mention of the grimm in the notes from that session?"
"...None. I assumed at the time this was specifically because his mind had more important things to think about when he got back… But clearly you have a different answer."
"I had the fortune of speaking with him and asking a few questions." Ozpin continued. "There were some things I wished to know regarding the maidens and relics… Possibly even where I was in this ruined future… Unfortunately I wasn't sure how to broach that subject properly without revealing… well, all of this. That said, I believe that everything else may as well be put aside with what he told me. That in the future where he becomes this… Ohma Zi-O, the grimm cease to exist."
"That's not possible." James said, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Ozpin. "We've both spent countless days trying to figure out how to, at the very least, lower the number of grimm in the world. The fact we were deciding how best to lower, not wipe out their numbers should speak for itself, Oz."
"Whether it is possible or not, I do not believe either of us should take the chance of losing that possibility." Ozpin continued. "Yes, this future Mr. Bridged speaks of is not pleasant, but in this possibility there lies the power required to rid the world of the grimm all together, along with her. All we need to do is play our cards right so that power does not end up corrupting him."
"And if he refuses to play along with your plans?" Ironwood asked, crossing his arms.
"One way or another, he will no doubt stay and become a huntsman." Ozpin said. "And he has already begun to lay the groundwork for what he believes will be a better choice to become Zi-O. I believe he will stay by her side no matter what, and that's enough for me to have some hope that things will change for the better, and not continue in this stalemate that we've been placed into."
General Ironwood let out a sigh, closing his eyes as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "I will… accept your wishes." He said, removing his hand from his face as he looked at Ozpin. "For now. That said, this was not all I had come here to discuss with you."
"You're speaking of the opening exhibition match." Ozpin said, glancing at Ironwood.
"We should make plans for an alternative, since now your recommendation may not be possible." Ironwood said.
"Very well, but I will not outright scrap the original plan. We have two new riders that are not officially affiliated with any government or military, and I believe it would be best for us to display exactly the power these heroes have to the world. On that note, did the president agree with my request?"
"He wasn't entirely on board, but said he'd think about it." Ironwood responded. "I'm not entirely surprised though. He's shot down all of our requests to utilize his rider system for military usage."
"Much like the aforementioned Professors Kiryu and Banjou." Ozpin said with a chuckle. "That said, it is not like you weren't able to find people to match that under your employment."
"A.I.M.S. is a third party. They are not specifically under my employ, but they are government sanctioned." The general said with a sigh. "Their captain could use some anger management classes however."
"Sounds like you have your hands full with them then. Well, as for President Hiden, we have time for him to decide, and time for Mr. Bridged to take up arms once more." Ozpin said, taking a sip from his mug.
The general nodded, before pausing as his scroll bleeped loudly. He bit out a curse as he pulled the device out and looked down at the screen. "Damn!" James stood up, lowering his scroll. "If you'll excuse me Ozpin, I've just received word from A.I.M.S. that has been sighted in Vale. There was a scuffle earlier and their weapons specialist wants to speak with me regarding the attack."
"Strange… If I remember correctly they primarily kept their attacks to Atlus…" Ozpin said, his eyes narrowing.
"Well, clearly they're not." James said with a sigh. "I must be off."
"Of course. I'll see you at the School Dance, I assume?" Ozpin asked.
"Yes… Do you think Glynda…?" James asked after a moment.
"You would be better off just asking her for a dance while there James." Ozpin said, rolling his eyes as James made his way to the elevator.
"Alright. Not bad." Banjou said, walking over to Bryce, who was lying down on his back. "Here."
Bryce grabbed onto the hand that was held out to him and pulled himself up. "Thanks… I really needed to punch something today, and I'm barred from all my classes right now so…"
"I get it." Banjou nodded, unraveling the wrappings around his fists. "I've been there a few times. Not so much since Sento and I appeared here, but there were a couple of times before…"
"Probably was still effective for leveling your Hazard Level…" Bryce muttered, rolling his neck with a grimace.
Banjou turned back to the teen. "So, what's with all the… everything?" The rider asked, motioning to his junior.
"My future self is an asshole and I destroy the world." Bryce said bluntly, walking over to a nearby water bottle.
"Ah… Isn't that familiar…" Banjou deadpanned, watching as the teen chugged down a few gulps of water. "We both remember that… Alien bastard, so it's not like you need a further explanation..."
"Yeah, like I get it, but yours was a case where you weren't sure if you were gonna… you know. While for me… That's my destiny apparently. Talk about a load of shit..." Bryce said, shaking his head. "But you got past it, how?"
"Well, I punched his face…" Banjou said, nodding to himself as the Great Cross-Z Dragon flew down around him. "And I also took him down with Sento, Bakasumin and Gentoku, so that helped…"
Bryce barked out a laugh. "Yeah, that'd do it…" He said, shaking his head. "Been a while since I remember hearing Grease called that…"
"Yeah…" The dragon rider nodded, glancing off to the side. "Sometimes I wonder what they'd think about where we ended up. Whether or not we could technically call this a win. This isn't Earth, but…"
"I think that they'd be okay with this outcome." Bryce said after a moment. "...Heh, if only I could punch my problems into submission… I got my ass handed to me last time I tried."
"...Then punch harder next time." Banjou said, directing Bryce's attention back to the rider. "If the guy you're fighting is stronger, then out maneuver them. If they're better than you in every way…"
Banjou smirked, before pulling out the Magma Knuckle. He slammed his fist onto the front of the weapon, sending out a blast of fire and smoke around his hand. "Then even the playing field with an upgrade of your own."
"...Then I guess I better start looking." Bryce said, shrugging. "Thanks, Banjou."
"No problem." Banjou replied, before he glanced at the teen. "You planning on going to the School Dance tomorrow?"
"Nah." Bryce shrugged, glancing off to the side. "Told Team RWBY the same thing when they were told they were handling preparations for it. Just… not exactly in the mood. Why, you gonna be there?"
"Nah, Sento got me out of Watch duty in exchange for my help with some of his newer experiments…" The rider said.
"Well, fair enough. I'm gonna get going then. Thanks!" Bryce said, walking towards the exit.
Banjou let out a breath as he watched the teen leave the arena. "It's weird seeing someone else go through the same sort of pity party you did, Sento."
The genius physicist walked out into the open, letting out a sigh as he rubbed the back of his head. "I couldn't offer much better advice at the time." Sento said. "Nothing he hadn't already tried to gleam from our past… I figured you might be able to push him in the right direction."
"No clue if I did though." Banjou shrugged.
"It got him thinking, at least. At the very least, that will probably work better for him than it would ever do for you."
"Oi!"
Ruby let out a sigh, staring at the Zi-O Ride Watch with a glum look on her face. She idly twisted the dial back and forth, watching as the face of the Rider was assembled and disassembled.
The huntress jumped back as two hands slammed down onto the table. Ruby looked up at Weiss, who smiled at the startled caped huntress.
"I need you to pick a tablecloth." Weiss said, sliding to square cut outs towards Ruby.
Ruby blinked, looking down at the two white squares displayed before her. She narrowed her eyes and tilted her head as she looked over them before looking back up at Weiss in confusion. "Aren't they both the same?"
Weiss let out a frustrated sigh as she shook her head. "I don't even know why I asked!" The Heiress said as she walked away, passing by Yang who was currently carrying a massive speaker over one of her shoulders.
Yang places the speaker down on the table her sister is sitting at, shaking both the table and Ruby.
The blonde brawler dusted her hands off and glanced over at her sister. "So, have you picked out a dress yet?"
"What's the point?" Ruby asked, glancing down at the table. "Who cares about the dance if Blake and Bryce aren't going?
"Well, I don't know about Bryce, but don't worry; Blake's going." Yang said, before glancing over at Weiss. "Weiss! I thought we agreed: No doilies!"
"If I don't get doilies, you don't get fog machines!" Weiss said, walking over as she pointed a finger at Yang's exasperated face.
The sound of the doors opening grabbed the girls' attention as Neptune and Sun walked into the room. "Your dance is gonna have fog machines?"
Weiss took a step forward towards Neptune. "We were thinking about it…"
Neptune smiled. "That's pretty cool."
Sun walked up to the group with his best attempt of acting suave. "You ladies all excited for dress-up?"
"Pfft... Yeah, right!" Ruby said with a laugh.
Yang smirked. "Laugh all you want. I'll be turning heads tomorrow night!"
Weiss glanced back at Neptune and Sun. "What are you two wearing?"
Sun looked down and gestured to himself. "Uh... this?"
"Ignore him, for he knows not what he says." Neptune said, holding one of his hands out in front of Sun's face.
Sun smacked away Neptune's hand and glared lightly at the hunter. "Hey, I may have moved to Mistral, but I grew up in Vacuo. It's not exactly a shirt and tie kind of place."
"Yeah, we noticed." Yang said, rolling her eyes.
Sun rubbed the back of his neck, looking off to the side. "So... What does Blake think of all this? She still being all, y'know... Blake-y?"
"Obviously." Weiss said with a huff.
"I still can't think of a way to change her mind." Ruby said with a groan.
"Guys." Yang said, grabbing everyone's attention. "Trust me; Blake will be at the dance tomorrow."
Sun glanced over at Ruby, before leaning in as he caught sight of the Zi-O Ride Watch in Ruby's hand. "Hey, isn't that Bryce's? Why's it with you guys?"
"Bryce is…" Ruby began, before slumping down on the table again.
"He's going through some stuff and needs some time to think if we're being honest." Yang said, shrugging.
"And if we already didn't have Blake acting like this…" Weiss said with a sigh.
"What? He's acting all Blake-y as well?" Sun asked, tilting his head to the side.
Yang shrugged. "Nah. Well, sorta, at least." The blonde brawler glanced over to her sister. "Know what, Ruby, since you feel your time is better spent moping, why don't you go figure out how to get Bryce to show up to the dance tomorrow."
"How am I even supposed to do that?" Ruby asked, looking at Yang.
"I dunno, that's your job." Yang said, grabbing Ruby by the shoulders as she pulled her off the table and began pushing her out the doors. "Now don't come back until you figure it out!"
"Wait, Yan-!" Ruby's complaint was cut off as the two doors were closed shut. Yang smiled to herself before turning around to see Weiss giving her a look.
"What?" Yang asked.
"...Did you purposely send Ruby off to ask Bryce to the dance or was that unintentional?" Weiss asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes. Yes I did."
"...I thought you were dead."
"I would've been if it wasn't for Zi-O." Tsukuyomi said, looking over at Geiz as the Rider stared out into the distance. "Geiz…"
"Sougo Tokiwa here, my cover is blown here regarding Zi-O, but otherwise it appears to have held." Geiz said, turning to look at Tsukuyomi. "Why did you come here?"
"I didn't have much of a choice." Tsukuyomi said with a shrug. "Back during the fight with Ohma ZI-O, I was ejected into a branch timeline, one running parallel with this one."
"I was… unaware there were any of those left." Geiz said, glancing up at Tsukuyomi. "How long?"
"I was there for a few years. Maybe 3. Her Majesty and her team took care of me while I was there, and I became her retainer." Tsukuyomi said, before she let out a sigh as she brought out a damaged Ziku Driver. "Now though, I don't believe that timeline exists anymore. At least, not after he laid waste to everything…"
"Ohma Zi-O." Geiz stated.
Tsukuyomi nodded, closing her eyes. "Her Majesty put up a fight, but she was eventually… defeated. I was the only survivor. I left that timeline with a barely functioning Time Mazine and what remained of her Majesty's cloak and driver." Tsukuyomi said, motioning to the red article of cloth wrapped around her neck.
"...Zi-O… you understand why he needs to die then?"
"I do." Tsukuyomi said before closing her eyes. "But, I cannot allow his death."
"What?" Geiz swerved around to glare at Tsukuyomi. "You of all people should understand why his death is necessary!"
"For her Majesty to rise, for her to gain the power necessary to defeat Zi-O… Bryce Bridged must live." Tsukuyomi said. "It is the only way Ruby will survive the events to come."
"...So, what are you planning to do then? Are you going to interfere with my plans?" Geiz asked.
"What I plan to do is support her, and by extension, the one who paves the way for her rise to power." Tsukuyomi said, turning around. "...Geiz, I would prefer not to fight you on this."
"...I will not abandon my mission. I refuse to let all of them die in vain…" Geiz said. "I must be the one who ends him."
Tsukuyomi let out a sigh as Geiz walked away, before she turned back to look out at the scenery splayed out in front of her.
"...In order for her journey to truly begin… The power of Zi-O must return to its rightful owner." Tsukuyomi said. "So until the time comes, you too, are under my protection… Bryce."
It was silent when Bryce sat down in the school courtyard, just in front of the large statue at the center. He leaned back against it, tilting his head back to stare up at the sky.
"...Where do I even go from here?" He asked himself, closing his eyes. "...I can't transform… I don't have a weapon outside of what Zi-O gave me… And what Aura I may or may not have is…"
The teen let out a sigh, opening his eyes as he stared up. He reached a hand out towards the sky. "...'if they're better than you, even the odds with an upgrade', huh?" He muttered to himself, before he let his arm fall with a sigh. "How do I even get started with that…?"
The courtyard grew quiet as a faint breeze blew through the air. Bryce closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath.
It was the click of a camera that broke the calm quiet moments later.
Bryce's eyes snapped open, as he quickly jumped onto his feet and turned to face a man in a black suit with a magenta dress shirt. A lone camera hung around his neck, also magenta in color. The figure looked down at the camera, before pressing a switch on the device as another photo was taken.
"You…!"
"Yo, how was your trip to your future, Maou?" Tsukasa Kadoya asked, looking up from his camera at Bryce.
"...Terrible." The teen responded, glaring at the Rider warrily. "What do you want, Tsukasa?"
"So, what's it this time? You destroy your driver? Or did you decide to keep it?" Tsukasa asked, letting go of his camera as he took a step forward. "Though, I do recall a certain huntress using it earlier."
"You were there…?"
"Of course I was." Tsukasa stated, rolling his eyes. "I still haven't made up my mind yet."
"On what?" Bryce asked.
"Whether or not I should destroy this world."
[RIDER TIME!]
Tsukasa narrowed his eyes and threw himself to the side, flinging himself under the three pink characters that were sent flying at him. The rider tucked and rolled to a stand, looking vaguely nonplussed as the character slammed into the visor of Zi-O.
{KAMEN RIDER! ZI-O!}
"Ruby!" Bryce shouted, looking over at the rider.
"Bryce, get back!" Ruby shouted, holding her right hand out.
[JIKAN CRESCENDO~]
[BLOOM!]
Ruby pulled her weapon up and fired a blast at Tsukasa. The cameraman raised an eyebrow before he tilted his body to the side, avoiding the brunt of the attack with the small exception of his left cheek.
Tsukasa brought a hand up to the cut forming on his face before he moved his hand down, his body suddenly glowing with Aura as the cut healed.
"Huh, his Aura's pink too." Ruby noted, tilting her head to the side.
"It's not Pink, it's Magenta!" Tsukasa shouted, glaring at the Rider in front of him.
"Yeah, I wouldn't fight him on that Ruby." Bryce said, taking a step back. "He's… very insistent about that."
"Okay…?" Ruby shrugged before spinning her weapon around, transforming it into its Scythe form.
[REAP!]
"Well, whatever. I'm not gonna let you destroy the world!" Ruby said. "That speed thing you did last time won't help you now either!"
"Not a fan of Faiz?" Decade asked, taking his Neo Decadriver out. He placed it against his waist, letting the belt form around him. "I have others in that case."
"Huh?" Ruby looked over to Bryce.
"He's an anniversary rider!" He responded.
"Which means…?" Ruby asked.
"I can do this." Tsukasa said, taking a card out before flipping it over and slotting it into his driver.
[KAMEN RIDE]
"Henshin."
[ZI-O!]
"What!?" Bryce shouted, standing up.
{KAMEN RIDER! ZI-O!}
"So, what do you think?" Decade asked, motioning to himself.
"Since when could you turn into Zi-O!?" Bryce asked.
"Ever since I met the original." Decade said, before taking his Ride Booker off his hip. "Now, why don't you show me what you can do?"
Ruby narrowed her eyes behind her visor, before charging at Decade. She spun her scythe around, leaving blurs of red behind her as she swung at the rider.
Decade ducked and weaved, avoiding each attack from Ruby before he pulled the handle of the Ride Booker down a bit and pulled the trigger.
A blast of energy slammed into Ruby's stomach, launching her backwards. Decade rolled his shoulder, transforming the Ride Booker into its sword form.
"Ow…" Ruby groaned, standing up. She glanced over at Bryce before holding her free hand out to the side. "Bryce, catch!"
"Eh?" Bryce blinked, watching as a flash of light emerged from Ruby's hand before she threw a weapon over at him.
[ZIKAN GIRADE!]
[ZYU!]
"Two on one then." Decade said, rolling his neck. "Alright."
Ruby spun her scythe around, the mechanisms whirring as her bladed weapon shifted into its sniper form.
[BLOOM!]
"Fire!" Ruby shouted, as the two of them began unloading round after round towards Decade. Bryce grit his teeth and brought his weapon up and fired, hailing down rounds of energy at the cameraman wearing Zi-O's armour.
Decade ducked to the side and swiped with his blade, destroying the blasts of energy before they could make contact with him. He flicked his weapon into it's gun form and opened the side of it, drawing a card from it as he ducked to the side to avoid another shot from Ruby. "Why don't we try this on for size then?"
Decade slammed the Ride booker closed and opened his belt up. He raised his gun at Ruby and flipped the card in his left hand over before slotting it into his belt.
[ATTACK RIDE]
"Oh shit!" Bryce shouted, running and ducking behind the fountain as Decade slapped his driver closed.
[BLAST!]
"A taste of your own medicine, then." Decade said, pulling down on the trigger, matching Ruby's fire rate with a volley of bullets that exceeded hers as the Ride Booker blurred a translucent magenta and fired.
"Woah!" Ruby yelped as she ducked to the side, avoiding the first attack before the second torrent of rounds slamming into her chest, sending sparks flying off her as she rolled back.
[KEN!]
[TIME CHARGE!]
"Hm?" Decade blinked, turning his head to the side to see Bryce charge at him with the Zikan Girade set into it's sword mode. The destroyer of worlds tilted his head before flipping the blade out of his weapon, drawing a new card from it and slotting it into his driver.
[5...4...3...2...1…]
[ATTACK RIDE]
[ZERO TIME!]
Decade slapped his driver shut as he spun his sword around in his hand and met Bryce's charge head on.
[SLASH!]
[GIRI! GIRI! GIRI!]
The two weapons blurred as they collided, sending sparks of pink energy flying into the air as the two clashed swords. "Heh." Decade laughed after a moment, flicking his arm to the side, throwing his opponent off balance. The rider brought his sword in for a stab before a torrent of rose petals swept past and grabbed Bryce, bringing him off to the side to safety.
"Thanks for the save there." Bryce said, glancing at Ruby.
"Don't mention it." Ruby said, glaring down at Decade behind her visor.
"Well, if that's all the two of you can do, I must say I'm a bit disappointed." Decade said, pulling his driver open as the Zi-O Rider Card ejected from the belt, disappearing in a flurry of pixelation as Tsukasa glanced over at the two of us.
"Then I suppose someone like me would be better suited?"
"Oh?" Tsukasa turned around to face Ozpin, as the Headmaster walked into the courtyard, his trademark cane not visible on his person. The white Decadriver attached to his waist, however, was clear as day. "So, you're my AR counterpart in this world then? This should prove interesting."
"Would you mind explaining to me why you're harassing my students?" Ozpin asked, not entirely glaring at Tsukasa, but there was a noticeable edge to his voice.
"No real reason. I'm just a passing through Kamen Rider," Tsukasa said, attaching the Ride Booker back to his belt as he opened it and reached for a card. "Remember that!"
"Ruby, Bryce, stand back. Consider this a special lesson." Ozpin said, drawing a card from his Ride Booker, an action mirrored by Tsukasa. "So then. Mr. Kadoya, shall we?"
Tsukasa smirked, tapping his outstretched card twice with his middle finger before flipping it around in his hand, swiping down as the card was slotted into his Neo Decadriver.
Ozpin took a breath before quickly turning the card around in his hand and slotting it into his Decadriver.
[KAMEN RIDE]
"Henshin!"
[DECADE!]
The two suits formed over the combatants, leaving behind two decades standing apart from each other. The only clear difference between the two being their belts. Tsukasa dusted his hands off as Ozpin adjusted his standing position.
There were no words spoken to start, just a silent acknowledgement as the two charged at each other. Tsukasa threw the first punch, aimed at Ozpin's chest, though in a show of quick reflexes the headmaster batted the blow aside with his forearm and moved in for a strike of his own.
The Destroyer of worlds moved with the momentum of Ozpin's initial move, moving to the side to avoid the headmaster's retaliation as he twisted and jumped off the ground, transitioning into a roundhouse as Ozpin pulled back his arm. Tsukasa's leg slammed into the headmaster's arm, sending Ozpin backwards as sparks flew off his armour.
"Holy shit!" Bryce shouted, eyes wide in shock as Tsukasa landed feet first on the pavement.
Tsukasa spun around to face the other rider. "Heh." He chuckled, rolling his neck. "Not bad, for an old guy."
"Experience comes with age." Ozpin responded, getting back into his stance.
"Well, you do have a lot more than the average person!" Tsukasa shouted as he ran back into the fray. The two exchanged blow just as fast as the first one had been. A fist to the gut, courtesy of Ozpin. A well timed backhand from Tsukasa. The two riders seemed to be equally matched.
Tsukasa skidded back, holding his arms out in front of him in an X as Ozpin lowered his leg. "You know… I was expecting a bit more from you… If I'm being honest." He said, drawing a card from his Ride Booker. "It seems you aren't fully suited to be playing Decade."
"Considering that we're about even as we are, I think I'm doing rather well actually." Ozpin responded, drawing a card from his Ride Booker as well. The two riders inserted the cards into their respective drivers, forming a red holographic in front of their belts.
[KAMEN RIDE]
"Let's see about that then." Tsukasa said, closing his belt shut alongside Ozpin.
[BUILD!]
[BEST MATCH!]
[Hagane no Moonsault! RabbitTank! Yeah!]
"Eh?" Ruby blinked, looking over at the two riders. "The announcements are different…"
"Wait…!" Bryce stood up, pointing his finger at Tsukasa. "You changed to the full henshin sounds!"
"Oi, quiet from the peanut gallery!" Tsukasa said, turning back to face Ozpin. He drew another card from his Ride Booker and opened his belt once more. "I thought this was supposed to be an extra lesson? So shut up and watch."
[FORM RIDE]
[SPARKLING!]
Tsukasa's armour suddenly exploded in a burst of carbonated bubbles that after a moment began to pop rapidly, revealing the armour of Kamen Rider Build Rabbit Tank Sparkling.
"Interesting." Ozpin said, drawing a card of his own. "Then how about this?"
[ATTACK RIDE]
[FULLBOTTLE BUSTER!]
"That's a card!?" Bryce shouted, watching as Ozpin lifted the weapon up.
Tsukasa rushed forwards, slamming his fist into the side of the Fullbottle Buster. Flashes of fizzy soda sparked off the weapon as Tsukasa swung with his other fist.
Ozpin batted aside the next punch, swinging the sword around his shoulder before bringing it down towards Tsukasa's helmet.
The destroyer or worlds jumped back, barely avoiding the swing from the weapon as he stumbled backwards. "Alright then." He said, drawing a gold card from his Ride Booker, an action quickly mimicked by Ozpin.
"Let's end this experiment, shall we?" Ozpin said, flipping the card around as the two slotted them into their drivers.
[FINAL ATTACK RIDE]
[B-B-BUILD!]
There was a flash in Ozpin's hand, before he quickly flicked the handle of the Fullbottle Buster into its Gun for. He inserted the FullFull RabbitTank Bottle that had materialized in his hand and pulled his weapon up.
[FULLFULL MATCH DESU!]
Tsukasa jumped up into the air, as red and blue energy began to form around his foot. He thrust his foot out and flew down at Ozpin, who aimed the barrel of his weapon at him and pulled the trigger.
[FULLFULL MATCH BREAK!]
Tsukasa's rider kick collided with energy released from the Fullbottle Buster, coating the area in cloud of red and blue smoke as the energy exploded outwards. Ozpin narrowed his eyes behind his visor as Tsukasa stood up from his crouched position, still in his RabbitTank Sparkling form ride.
"Well, you certainly are full of surprises." Tsukasa said, tilting his head slightly as he looked at Ozpin. "But really, that's all it is. Much like your own Decade, all you're doing is replication. And you'll never match up to my genuine article."
Ozpin let the Fullbottle Buster drop to his side and disintegrate. "Then I suppose it's time I stop playing around then." The headmaster said, pulling his driver open as the previous card inserted flew up and disintegrated.
"Hm?" Tsukasa raised an eyebrow, watching as Ozpin drew a new card from his Ride Booker and slotted it into his belt.
[KAMEN RIDE]
[KUUGA!]
Ozpin's transformation was fast, his suit rapidly shifting into Kuuga's mighty form as it appeared overtop of his Decade suit.
"Yes!" Bryce shouted.
"Eh? Who's that supposed to be?" Ruby asked, looking at Ozpin's Kuuga form.
"Wait… what?" Bryce paused, looking over at Ruby. "That's… that's Kuuga! First Heisei rider? Came before Agito?"
Ruby gave him another confused look before the sound of Tsukasa clapping stole their attention back to the fight. "So, I guess the kid gloves are off then." The destroyer of worlds said, before quickly charging at Ozpin.
As Tsukasa brought his fist up for a punch, Ozpin expertly moved into the cameraman's guard, smashing his fist into Tsukasa's stomach with a meaty slam. Tsukasa stumbled back, ducking to the side as Ozpin threw another fist that sailed right past where his head had been.
"Okay-" Tsukasa began only to get roundhouse kicked in the side of his head, knocking his backwards and into the fountain. The magenta rider slowly rose out of the water and glared at Ozpin behind his helmet. "Then how about you try this on for size?"
Tsukasa drew another card from his Ride Booker, quickly flipping it around as he slotted it into his driver.
[KAMEN RIDE]
The destroyer stepped out of the fountain, water falling off of his suit as he slapped his driver shut.
[GHOST!]
"Ghost…?" Ozpin asked himself in confusion, before his eyes shot open in surprise as a black and orange hoodie like being flew out of Tsukasa's belt.
"Okay, do you know who this one is?" Ruby asked, looking over at Bryce again.
"Well, I'm trying my absolute hardest not to launch into a meme reference right now, so yes, I do." Bryce said, narrowing his eyes as Tsukasa took another step forwards, the Ore Damashi flying around the rider as if waiting. "Kamen Rider Ghost. The rider before Ex-Aid but after Drive."
Tsukasa came to a stop just before the damashi fell atop of him, quickly transforming him into Kamen Rider Ghost.
[Let's go! Kakugo! Go Go Go! Ghost! Go! Go! Go! Go!]
Tsukasa raised a hand up before flicking the hood down. "Alright let's see you try that again."
Ozpin barely wasted a second, rushing ahead as he threw a punch at Tsukasa's head, one that did nothing as it phased right through Tsukasa. "What!?" Ozpin asked in shock, before a very tangible fist slammed into his stomach, launching the headmaster back.
"Ozpin! He's a Ghost! He can control his tangability!" Bryce shouted as Ozpin righted himself back to a stand.
"Well, as much as I'd love to keep this battle going, I don't." Tsukasa said, turning to look at Bryce. The destroyer flicked his hand, summoning the Aurora Curtain as it flew past him, revealing Decade's silhouette behind the curtain as it slowly faded with one last message. "Until we meet again, Maou."
Ozpin glanced over at where Tsukasa had been standing moments prior, before opening his driver up with a sigh, releasing his transformation. He turned back to Ruby and Bryce as the two stood up. "I suppose that concludes the lesson then." Ozpin said, before turning around. "...Ms. Rose, Mr. Bridged."
The two teens watched as Ozpin walked away from the courtyard, Ruby glancing over at Bryce as she took the driver off her waist. "So… Did Ozpin win that or…?"
"...Decade won." Bryce said after a moment, letting out a sigh as he walked over to the side of the fountain.
"But aren't they both…?" Ruby blinked, before following after her friend as the human from another world sat down, pressing his back up against the Fountain.
Ruby took in a breath before she sat down next to Bryce, glancing over at him. "You doing okay?"
"In what regard…?" Bryce asked dryly, glancing over at Ruby. "Physically? Emotionally?"
"...Yes?" Ruby asked, shrugging.
"...Freaking smart-ass…" Bryce muttered to himself with a shake of the head. "I blame myself for this. This feels like it was a me thing you've picked up there."
"Perhaps." Ruby nodded. "So… You sure you don't have any interest in going to the dance?"
Bryce groaned, dropping his head forwards. "No? Not really. I just… I don't think I can really… enjoy myself right now?" He said, pausing as he sought the right words. "I'm not… I don't think that there'd be any difference if I was there or not. And… how am I even supposed to enjoy something like this? Why would I?"
"Hey! Stop beating yourself up over this!" Ruby said, surging to her feet as she turned and glared at Bryce. "No one is going to judge you for having a good time! You clearly need one, too! And if someone does have a problem, they can go and… shove it up their butts!"
Bryce blinked. "...Okay, I know for a fact you've heard of more colorful versions of that from Yang." He said. "So either you're screwing with me slightly or-"
"Look." Ruby began, cutting Bryce off. "I get it. I don't really understand what you've been through, but I understand why that's made you feel this way. But you're not going to get past this unless you try!"
"Okay but I can't just let it-'' Bryce paused as Ruby's silver eyes bore into him, glinting dangerously as she glared at him. He swallowed before crossing his arms and casting his gaze to the side. "Well… uh… The… dance of all things? Ruby, I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm not a dancer!"
"Come on…! It'll be fun! Maybe it'll help take your mind off things. At the very least with you there, I won't be the only one there that'll look ridiculous dancing..." Ruby pleaded, crouching in front of him. "Now, are you going to the dance with me or not!?"
"I… Ugh… Fine!" Bryce said, letting out a sigh as he looked back at Ruby. "I'll go to the dance!"
"Yes!" Ruby shouted, jumping up as she threw her fist into the air. "You better be, Buster! If I don't see you tonight, I will drag you there myself!"
"Okay, okay!" Bryce said, holding his hands up in surrender. "I'll make a fool of myself at the dance with you, I get it!"
"Good, glad we're on the same… page." Ruby said before pausing. Bryce closed his eyes and let out a sigh as Ruby's face began to turn a similar shade as he cloak. "Okay, IgottagoinformYangofthegoodnews, K bye!"
Bryce blinked his eyes open, watching as the red Reaper fled the scene using her semblance. "...What was that about…?" He asked himself, leaning back against the Fountain.
"Now, are you going to the dance with me, or not!?"
Bryce's eyes snapped open as he lurched forwards. "Oh SHIT!" He shouted, throwing himself to a stand. "Uh… Jaune! He'd know! Or at least… Ren would or… whatever, I need to find them now!" The words rushed out of his mouth as the teen broke into a sprint and made a b-line to JNPR's dorm room.
"You're right." Jaune said, standing up from his spot next to Ren. "Thanks, Pyrrha! Good talk, Ren!
Jaune ran out of the room, almost crashing into an equally quick Bryce. "Sorry! My bad!" Bryce said, ducking to the side as Jaune kept moving. He grabbed onto JNPR's door and stepped inside, before pausing as he caught sight of Ren, who was sitting on one of the bed's in just a towel. "Uh…"
"Oh, Bryce! You're not dead!" Nora said, glancing over at him along with the rest of Team JNPR, minus Jaune of course.
"...Yeah." Bryce nodded, before snapping back at Ren. "Ren! I need your help… preferably after you're dressed, but I don't know how much time I have so...!"
"What do you need?" Ren asked.
"Long story, but… basically, Yang's gonna kill me and I need your help to make it so she doesn't." Bryce said, slapping his hands together.
"...Why exactly is Yang going to kill you?" Pyrrha asked after a moment.
"...Okay long story, Ruby may have accidentally but maybe not accidentally, uh, asked me out to the dance?" Bryce began. "And since I didn't have, like, ANY plans on showing up tonight, I have… no idea what I'm supposed to do."
"...I don't see how Yang's going to kill you over that." Ren said.
"Well, one, I don't have a suit to wear to this thing… at all. And I sure as hell can't show up wearing my school uniform." Bryce began, counting with his fingers as his expression became more and more animated with each point. "Two, even if this wasn't meant to be her asking me out, if I treat it as anything else but, Yang will probably cause bodily harm in the chances that it wasn't. Three, Yang's been pretty well established to be overly protective of Ruby. Do not challenge me on that, I lived with them for long enough to confirm that as such. And four, it's Yang!"
Nora blinked. "You got that out of your system?"
"...Yeah. Sorry, just… panicking really hard right now. Also, you're the only other guy I know well enough that I assumed would be able to help me out here." Bryce said, looking back at Ren. "So… Please?"
"...Let me get dressed."
"Ren, you are a lifesaver…" Bryce said, holding a tuxedo bag over his shoulder as the two stepped out of a clothing storefront.
"That is my job." Ren said with a shrug. "...Hey, you doing alright? We got a bit of an update from Team RWBY but…"
"Yeah, I'm… Honestly, not doing so hot." Bryce confessed, letting out a sigh as the two stood in the middle of the busy street. "...I just feel like I'm trapped I guess, and the only way I can see out is… one where I just give up… everything."
"That doesn't sound entirely healthy." Ren noted.
"It's really not… But anything else I could try would just… bring me right back to the problem." Bryce said after a moment.
Ren sighed. "We heard a bit about your… trip through time. When you got back, I noticed something was off with you."
"How so?" Bryce asked, looking at Ren.
"...You looked like you had lost everything." Ren said, looking ahead. "Nora noticed it too. The two of us… We've been traveling together since we… lost what was important to us a long time ago. We noticed that look in your eyes because for a time… that was us too."
"...Well-"
"Hey, Ren!"
"Hm? Who's that?" Bryce blinked, looking ahead as a teen in a blue t-shirt ran over to the two of them, a couple of flyers in his off hand.
"...A friend." Ren said, a smile forming on his face as the teen ran over to them. "I didn't know they were here for the festival."
The teen slowed to a stop in front of the two, giving a warm smile to Ren. "I didn't expect to see you again until the festival."
"I didn't expect you to show up at all. You guys here for the festival?" Ren asked.
"Yeah. Mom and dad decided it would be a good way of celebrating Daiji's acceptance into Fenix." The teen continued, before looking over at Bryce. "Oh, is this one of your teammates?"
"No, a friend of mine from another team. Bryce, I want you to meet Ikki Igarashi. His family let Nora and I stay at their home for a while a few years ago." Ren said, motioning to Ikki.
"We also said we'd do it again if you ever needed it." Ikki said with a shrug. "As Ren said, I'm Ikki Igarashi. Nice to meet you."
"Bryce Bridged. A pleasure." Bryce said, extending his hand to Ikki. The two shook hands for a moment, before Ikki suddenly paused and handed Bryce a flyer. "Uh…?"
"If you ever find yourself in Minstral, stop by our bath house." Ikki said, smiling. "And as much as I'd like to play catch up, I do have to get going. It was good seeing you, Ren. Tell Nora I said hi."
"I will. Take care, Ikki." Ren said, watching as the teen ran off.
"...He seemed nice." Bryce said, nodding to himself.
"He is. A bit overbearing, but… that's just who he is." Ren said, before he glanced back at Bryce. "We should hurry. We are on a time crunch."
"Oh shit, right!" Bryce nodded, running down towards the bullhead back to Beacon.
Unnoticed by the two huntsmen in training, Sougo stepped out onto the street, watching as Ikki Igarashi walked off. "And he makes three... All three of the Reiwa riders have a footing in this world it seems... And I suppose now that he's here, this is where the extent of my knowledge ends..."
Yang turned towards the door leading to the auditorium as they opened up, watching as Ruby stumbled into the room, adorned in a red dress with black lace. "Ooh, you look beautiful!" The older sister cooed, smiling at Ruby.
Ruby groaned. "Can we have a serious talk about how Weiss fights in these?" She asked, attempting to take a step forward only to stumble. "Woah!"
"So aside from your attempts at maneuvering and balance, did you get Bryce to finally crack?" Yang asked, looking over at her sister.
"Um… Y-yes! Yes I did!" Ruby said, turning to face away from her sister. "I uh, guess I just needed to be a bit more forceful."
"Aww… My sister's all grown up!" Yang said, wiping an invisible tear from her eye.
"Yang…!" Ruby whined, before the doors to the auditorium opened once more.
"Wow… okay, good job guys." Bryce said, taking a step as he looked around at the decorations. "Very nicely done."
"There he is!" Yang said, glancing over his outfit. "Huh, he cleans up pretty well."
"Hey!" Bryce narrowed his eyes at Yang in mock anger. Ruby blinked, looking over at the suit Bryce had chosen to wear. It wasn't overly fancy, a mostly black suit with the only differences being the white dress shirt underneath, the pink tie, and the pink breast pockets on his blazer.
"What do you think, Rubs?" Yang asked, looking over at her sister.
"Huh?" Ruby blinked, snapping out of the tunnel vision she just fell into as she looked at Yang.
"Bryce! He look hot? Yay or nay?"
"I-! Uh-!" Ruby blinked, looking between the two.
"I feel very uncomfortable with this line of questioning." Bryce said, glancing at Yang before turning to look back at Ruby. "...You look nice."
"Y-you too?" Ruby said, shrugging as an awkward silence filled the auditorium.
"...We're terrible at this." Bryce said after a moment.
"Oh yeah. Now move out of the way, we got more guys coming than just you two." Yang said, motioning them to the side.
"Okay, okay, we got it!" Bryce said, stepping to the side. He turned to look at Ruby. "I uh…Wow."
"Thanks." Ruby said with a smile. "Was the… resemblance… On purpose?"
"Hm? Oh, the… chest… No, but… it looks good on me so…" Bryce shrugged, turning back to look at the doors to the auditorium as they opened up again. "We're not really going to be dancing, right?"
"Not if I can help it. I can barely walk in these things." Ruby said, looking down at her shoes.
"Phew. I get to keep looking at least somewhat cool in front of my date then." Bryce said, sending the two of them into an awkward silence. "So… Is that what's happening here or was the whole… with me comment accidental?"
"It… Was but… I don't know…" Ruby said with a sigh.
"Well… I'm here now and… Not like we don't have the rest of the night to figure it all out." Bryce said with a shrug.
"Right… that's right!" Ruby said, smiling. "Tonight's gonna be awesome!"