Mists, the surrounding palace displaying unique artifacts in this strange realm. However, this is no trouble for a certain hunter.
"Hah! These treasures are nothing." A mysterious young man said, putting his cloak's hoodie down revealing brown wavy hair. He whistled. "For a world that has 'godly' power. They have terrible traps set up here."
This is Daiki Kaito, a treasure hunter who set out on a journey to steal every world's treasure from anywhere and anytime because he can also travel through worlds with no trouble. Although, he never thought about stumbling upon this world.
Kaito gazed at the lying beaut of a treasure in front of his eyes, noticing the object's unique design different from the rest.
The precious item looks shiny for a card, he felt a very powerful aura calling him. At first glance, the blue card looks similar to Kaito's own collection, except it seems to be an arcana.
After confirming that these are real, he grins. "Looks like no one's guarding this precious card... Good, I was getting bored." Before he could steal the card, he quickly pulled out a revolver and shot something from behind.
Kaito turned around to notice what he shot. "You think I was stupid enough to ignore you?" He rolled his eyes. "Your presence gave it away."
"I was simply curious about what you were doing here... Now I see why." A distorted chuckle came out in response.
The young man took a deep breath, pulling out a red card that had an odd icon from the back. "Good thing I came prepared." Kaito slid the red barcode card into his customized revolver, opening the pump.
KAMEN RIDE!
Kaito aimed his driver into the air. "HENSHIN!"
DI-END!
Pulling the trigger, different colored images of his rider form appeared. All formed into one blue suit with a set of bar codes onto his helmet.
He is, Kamen Rider Di-End.
"Interesting."
The hollowed room lit up surprising Kaito, he slowly watched everything melt into black slime all except the light blue card. "What the...?"
Goops of slime dropped into the floor, it started moving faster once more piled on that kept growing until it formed into some sort of monster. Its face created a blue mask to cover the red eyes.
"That's definitely one of Shocker's creations," Kaito said with a groan. "And here I thought I could get away this time!"
He brought up his revolver and slid a different card in.
ATTACK RIDE!
"I wouldn't shoot the mask if I were you." The dark spectator warned.
Kaito didn't listen as he aimed for the center of this creature, pulling the trigger.
BLAST!
Several bullets hit the target's mask, making a crack. The last shot, however, landed on one of its eyes.
"Heh." He smirked before he saw the shadow erupted. "What?!-"
But the last bullet made the figure growl. Its crimson eyes glaring at Kaito ripped his face mask out, doing so caused the slime to slither everywhere.
Once the show died down, the young man couldn't believe what he was looking at.
Well, somewhat.
"Eh...? Momotaros? Is that you?" He asked. "Nah, you wouldn't look like that at all since I saw your true form before."
Right in from him was a large two horn hulking red Oni wearing some sort of robe while holding a large sword-spear weapon on its right hand.
A thought bubble came out, revealing a much less...scary Red Oni who was shouting at Kaito.
[Flashback: Ore...! Sanjou-gack!]
KAMEN RIDE!
The young treasure hunter aimed his weapon at the human warriors before pulling the trigger.
D-D-DEN-O!
An armored rider materialized in front of them, causing others to step back, he lets out a grin before pulling his desha-sword out.
"Heheh..."
FINAL FORM RIDE: D-D-DEN-O
"Ore! Sanjou-! ACK!" Before Den-O SF could do his signature pose, Di-end shot his back. Turning into his imagin form.
PEACH.
"Iteee!" Out came a Red Oni, however, not intimidating. He resembles that of Momotaros from a kid's show back in Japan. "Oi! What the hell was that for!?"
"Nope, you're much taller than him." Kaito lazily shrugged.
The red Oni raised a small brow, scratching its chin in with a question mark above the head. But it stomped its feet with anger.
"Actually, now I can see the resemblance." Kaito smirked.
He started spraying bullets on the Oni, but it did nothing as it bounced off from its chest.
"Great," He sighed. "Plan B." The young man pulled out two cards from his holder, then sliding each one inside his driver.
KAMEN RIDE: REY! KABUKI!
Kaito aimed in front of him and pulls the trigger, two more different colored images of the names said appeared not before revealing their rider forms.
Frost was gathering around the floor until it formed a humanoid figure, but yet he looked like a Yeti due to the fur around his chest as blue Gigantic claws appeared after raising his hands up. He is known as Kamen Rider Rey.
The slow breeze where petals coming from out of nowhere all circled around when a green Oni posed dramatically, however a few of the horns were red. Kamen Rider Kabuki. But once he made eye contact on the Red Oni, he clenched his weapon tightly.
Kaito noticed this but he waves it off. "You two can go ahead and fight him, I'm going to see what's his main weakness."
The two riders obeyed his command and proceeded to fight the red Oni.
"Hmmm let's see..." Di-End then analyzed the patterns of its attack, it was fairly easy due to the big swing attempts. "Ah, so you can tank a lot of the physical attacks... That and my own bullets wouldn't do much on you."
Before he could move from his spot, he noticed Kabuki aggressively slashing through the Oni, noticing the wounds lasting longer than he expected.
"Ah, that makes sense." He said. "Considering that he's half-n-half... Oi Kabuki, try and go for its arms!"
The red-green warrior nodded as he stayed in his stance, focusing a lot of power on his blade.
"Ongeki Da: Goka Kenran!"
Kabuki then severed two of the red oni's arms with a graceful attack, the monster roared in pain. Rey dug his claws through the ground, turning the floor towards the Oni into ice. The enemy stumbled away on the floor, not able to move without falling.
Di-End smirked. "Time to finish this." He took out one last card that would end this battle onto the Di-End driver, pulling the pump out.
FINAL ATTACK RIDE!
Both Rey and Kabuki suddenly faded into the same cards Di-end used previously to summon them. Cards were now circling one by one in front of his weapon as each circle locked in place.
"See ya."
DI-END!
Pulling the trigger, a giant beam went through the red Oni as it disappeared into nothing.
"Phew. Now, onto my treasure." He grinned, reverting back into his human form staring at the glowing card in front of him.
However, as he was going to take the blue card with him, shadow tentacles grabbed his right arm and threw him somewhere else.
"What!?"
"That fight was easily handled, good work!" That same voice as before said. "But, I'm not letting you have this..."
"And here I thought I was done with beating that Oni." Kaito groaned. "Doesn't matter, I'll take it by force!" Before he could shoot, several more tentacles prevented him from doing so.
"Ah ah ah." He could feel it waving an imaginary finger. "You can't fight me, I'm an entity much more powerful than you imagine."
"Really?" Kaito smirked. "Every cliche villain says that, but they lose when I show them who they're dealing with!"
"Cocky brat." The red shadow said. "It's time I end this charade and put you somewhere else. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the private little jail cell I made just for you..."
The young man couldn't breathe as the tightness started getting stronger. "W-What are you...?" He saw his vision fading away, the tremendous amount of pain rendering him unconscious.
"Me?" It smirked. "I'm..."
"A higher being, waiting for the moment humanity ends..."
Kaito went limp after being dragged inside of the black puddle, the red-eyed shadow's laughter echoed across the palace.
March 29th, 2016 [Morning]
Opening his eyes, Kaito realized that he's in a cornered cell away from the bright room. "W-Where am I...?"
"My, oh, my!" A high voice called the treasure hunter's attention. "A visitor of another world? Ooo~ How marvelous to meet someone like you..."
"Oi, who's there!"
"Hm... I suppose you could say that I'm a fellow neighbor. I'm in a deep dilemma just like yourself." The voice chuckled.
"What? You tried stealing that blue card or whatever?" Kaito scoffed.
"Hmhmhm. No." Stacks of cards slip through his cell and floated in front of him. "My role was...taken. As such, I cannot do anything but watch the events unfold itself. Because of it."
"It?" He raised a brow. "You mean the thing that's hiding in plain darkness?"
"Indeed, that thing is a much more powerful foe than what you've faced before." The voice smiled. "After all, you're one of the few guests I've met before. A Kamen Rider, yes?"
"Wait, you know who we are?"
"Why yes! I have witnessed many histories of Kamen Riders back then, and those who continue to don the title." He answered. "You must be the treasure hunter. Daiki Kaito?"
"Yeah, that's me. Now I'm stuck here with someone like you." Kaito glared. "What's going to happen to me?"
"I'm afraid I don't have the answer you desire." He replied. "Only when the game ends, will your fate be revealed."
"Stuck here? Forever? I'm not letting that happen!" Kaito started shaking the bars, noticing a complicated lock placed in. "What kind of lock is this?"
The stranger pointed their finger at the cards laying in-front of Kaito. "That, my dear neighbor is a special holder. Have you noticed your belongings feeling more, lighter?"
Kaito immediately checked his gear, everything he's collected was gone. "What!?" Trying to find his complete form, inside the case is an empty place-holder. "No! That was my treasure!"
"That is quite unfortunate. It seems your collection were separated one after another the moment you went unconscious."
"Dammit! How about I try-!" He tried to open a dimensional wall behind the prison, nothing happened. "Not even that?"
"No. Our prison cells were created to suppress any abilities either of us has that would allow us to escape."
"What am I gonna do then!?" Kaito yelled out. "Is there really no way to get out?!"
"I'm afraid not." His answer made the treasure hunter slump. "But, that does not mean there are no choices left..."
"Huh?"
Raising his head, the neighbor snapped his two fingers, several tarot cards revealed before facing back. The cards started scrambling until they were in front of Kaito.
"Each card show a wanderer's future, yet the outcomes occur rather differently. It's such a delight to see their life change for every step they take. Many paths await..." The stranger revealed a long nose, slightly startling Kaito.
"Sorry, gramps. I'm not into fortune-telling." He sighed. "What is this?"
"Patience, young man." The long-nosed lunatic smiled. "These cards aren't just for knowing your fortune...for now that is."
"And I care why?"
"They represent someone else's fate." He answered, making the young rider confused. "You may choose one arcana, and by doing so. The card chosen will assist you in this troubling situation."
"Then I'll have to be pick the right one, huh?" Kaito raised a brow. "Okay... Let's do it."
He took a deep breath, as his neighbor grins.
"This." The young hunter pointed at the far end card, the long-nosed man smirked.
"Oh...?"
"What?"
"This arcana is quite rare..." He amused. "Very well... Let this person's fate change yours."
The image itself showed two masks, one teary-eyed expression while the other angered. "Once the guest has accepted the invitation, give them the following contract..." He said.
"Be wary though, as things might not go as you want..."
?/?/2012 [Night]
"M-Mom...?! D-Dad...?!" A young man whimpered at the sight in front of him, his parents were lying dead on the ground.
"N-No! Please tell me this isn't true..." He shouted as tears trailed down. "This can't be happening to me!"
Moments later, it was confirmed that his only family died in a car accident. He felt lost.
Until a friend he made back then offered a new home.
What Josh thought was a miracle, that small kindle of hope burning so little.
Hope that he would be welcomed in open arms...
Except...
?/?/2016
Josh could feel his body wearing down, tired after doing all the chores listed. Looking at microwaveable meal next to it.
He looked over his reflection and noticed his state of being. Overwork taking its toll, and detachment. Those two words described his ongoing life after being adopted. No interaction with his new family, to them he's a cleaner.
Why did they treat him like a slave?
What could be the reason for the smile he watched grew to annoyance... Was it because of pity?
Maybe, but his perspective deterred as time goes on.
A smile doesn't mean anything to him.
March 26th, 2016 [Morning]
"Josh! You're expected to get the groceries for today and go back to your room. Today is a special day for someone."
"I will. Take care." The young man named Josh crossed his arms. He saw her parents leave, thus making him home alone.
'It's always like this.'
"Right so I have to do my chores, as it's one of the things I can do besides living here." He looked down.
Washing the dishes, taking out the trash, cleaning the bathroom, mopping the dirty floors every day. "Done. I'm heading out right now...!" Josh said to no one.
Once he closed the door, he noticed the odd looks people are giving. "...Just getting the groceries." He pulled his hoodie up.
Slowly letting the time go by, he finally arrived at his destination. It was a nearby grocery market he goes to, mostly from the good deals they usually have whenever he comes inside.
"Let's see, what everyone will need is Milk, Food, Vegetables, Fruit, Bread, etc." He listed. "Right, should hurry before someone I don't want to meet comes up to me later."
Josh took off with a small cart.
"Alright, that will be $50.17. Do you need a ride?" The cashier employee asked nicely.
"No, I should be fine carrying all these on my way. It's not that far." Josh declined. "Thank you though."
He carried the bags with his whole arms, struggling to maintain his balance.
"Yooooo Josh!"
"Dammit," Josh cursed under his breath. "Hey Eric, long time no see huh?" He said with a strained smile.
The young man named Eric looked to be shorter than Josh, he has brown high-top hair with faded sides. Usually, he wears some-what bright-colored outfits and just a pair of boots.
"Yeah man, it's been a while." He grinned. "How have you been? You feeling okay?"
"I'm fine. I appreciate you caring but I'm alright." Joshua snarks. "Leave me alone."
"Wow... Uh... Are you sure you're fine?" Eric said worriedly.
"I'm sure." He answered. "Now if you excuse me."
"I'm sorry..." Eric tried to pat his shoulder, who took a step back. "...You sure you don't need help?"
Josh shook his head, letting out a thin smile. "It's fine, I'm gonna head back home."
"Alright. Make sure to watch for the roads, I guess." He said.
"Heard you loud and clear." Josh didn't say anything after Eric left.
He noticed couples having fun with their loved ones, standing still continuing to watch everyone enjoying their life. However, it kept him unfazed.
"Hmph..."
[Evening]
Opening the front door, he spotted Cath's friends, hanging out with her in the living room. He brings up the grocery bags. "I'm back, got the groceries here so help me out will ya?"
"Eh...?" Cath whined. "Think you can just do that yourself?"
"After I had to carry them here? I'm already tired as is." He replied.
"But-!"
"Come on, just help him out! We can wait." A friend of hers said.
Catherine sighed. "Okay. Gimme a few of the light ones."
"Sure."
One by one, they were putting each food from the bags to its rightful place.
"Annoying piece of shit," He said with much annoyance. "If she could at least help me out with the cooking and everything then I wouldn't be so damn tired."
He felt like he was going to explode, but he can't. He doesn't bear any ill-will to Catherine. That can't be said the same for her parents.
"Gonna hit the hay for today..." Joshua took out his android phone, headphones, and two leftover pizza slices. "Right, today's her birthday..."
He thought about the fun times they've spent together in the past. "It's been a while since we ever had an actual interaction besides the usual greetings."
It's true, after not being able to go to school due to the death of his two parents. He couldn't exactly attend go back to school without the amount of duties he has from Catherine's parents.
So he was only able to learn thanks to the Internet, it took a while to understand many subjects. At least he was able to catch up to what he could. Sadly he couldn't get a job yet because of his age. It was frustrating, not getting to do anything but housework throughout his whole years living here.
With a sigh, he turned the lights off.
"All by myself... I just, never been cared for or loved someone else. I don't love this family. I'm just a sad kid they had to pick up, someone who didn't want to die in this cruel world." He trailed off before he closed his eyes. "The moment I lost my family, my life lost its purpose."
Noises of knocking from his door entered his ears. Josh had to quickly put up a tired smile. "Come in!"
"Hey Josh, it's me." Cathy opened the door holding a letter for him. "Found this in the mail, it's for you apparently."
"Who's it from?"
"Dunno, it only says Residential Guest: The Treasure Hunter. Someone you know?"
"With a stupid name like that, I doubt it." He said with a hum. "Let me read it."
Cathy left once she handed him the letter.
"Let's see what this person wrote..."
The letter revealed a blue card on the back, curious he switched it to see an odd cover. This blue card's cover in the front had a look of a monochrome symbol, a split between happiness and sadness.
"I see you've been unfortunate in life... Inside that shell of yours to hide thy true self. You've searched for a new hope only for it to fade away, the longer you close that part of yourself. The chances of hiding from others will hurt them."
"However, that's already begun."
"That's why I have a proposition. If you accept this offer, then you shall be granted a new life away from the world you live in."
"You will leave this home into another, but, it involves a mission if you accept this offer. This proposition will last until tonight at 12 AM. If you don't, then this letter will make you forget about what happened today."
"Signed by... Residential Guest: The Treasure Hunter. I don't get this, about everything," He grimaced. "Are they asking me to leave Catherine's home? I know that this offer of theirs stated that I'll get a new life better than what I have right now..."
Josh turned on his phone to see the time, 10:00 PM. He only has 2 hours from this letter's apparent deadline.
He quietly opens his door to watch Cathy, her friends, and her parents who brought out the vanilla customized cake. Celebrating her 16th birthday.
"Happy Birthday Catherine!" Her Dad shouted. "Come on, make a wish!"
Catherine blew the candles, she giggled and saw the presents. "I wish to become a model!"
The young man closed his eyes as he reminisces, holding back a tear.
Flashes of birthday celebrations of his own. He always kept track of how old he is. Turning 17 a few months ago.
Clenching the blue card and the letter tightly on his hand. "Since I'm being held here with no chance at life in New York, a nobody who could only watch people succeed while he's a servant...! You're damn right I'm taking this offer!"
After finishing that sentence, the card went very bright. His front door converted into a prison door.
Joshua felt an odd sense of light, yet deep, melody inside that door. It felt soothing. His subconscious forced him to walk towards the door and opened the handle carefully.
He saw nothing but an endless wave of dark blue, then everything flashed before his eyes. Something grabbed his very body, pulling him inside the mysterious room, leaving the door shut.
Slowly his bedroom that used to have his belongings vanished from thin air.
[Unknown Dimension: Unknown Weather] March 31st, 2016
"Mmmgh..." Joshua woke up to see a dark room. Dark blue chains everywhere, he saw what looks to be an interrogation area.
He could barely tell that a shadow figure was on the opposite side, sitting on a chair.
"This is what the letter said!?" He scratched his hair. "Great! I didn't do jackshit yet got myself into a prison cell!"
"Oh pipe down kid, you're not getting anywhere with that attitude."
He noticed the same blurry figure that was on its butt down, then he sat down on a chair at the front of the black window preventing him from seeing his face.
"What happened to you?" Joshua asked. "You look absolutely dead."
"Hah, you don't even know half of it kid." The strange figure groaned. "Whatever. To start, I know everything about you."
"Really? Prove it."
"Your name is Joshua Perez, just turned 17, lost your Mom and Dad in an accident. You've been living with Catherine Sanchez and her family when you were 14, she just turned 16. You haven't been yourself after those rough times. You've been doing chores, making food for others all-day. You keep your anger and everything in check with that stoic face of yours, just to hide the pain inside you." He said.
"You have no special someone, not even the 'love' you put out for everyone. You, gave up the meaning of life when you couldn't go to school, get a job, nothing." Kaito gave a bored look.
Joshua gave the man a deadly stare, he was telling the truth. Everything he knew, his true self, are all correct. "That's enough out of that mouth of yours, I don't want a damn reminder of how much a failure I am!"
"Hey, you said I needed to prove it." The black window slowly went transparent as it revealed a young man that's a few years or older than Joshua is. "My name is Daiki Kaito, I'm the one that's going to tell you everything you need to know. Starting with who I am, where you are. And lastly, your mission."
"So... You steal treasures from different worlds, which I didn't believe at first. You then got ambushed by a shadow entity that choked you until you went unconscious? Next, you were given choices between life and death because you're currently inside a jail designed that's impossible to break free?" Joshua repeated.
"That's just about it."
"Question. How did you end up getting someone, well, me? Can't be too coincidental for me to get this offer in the first place." He asked.
"I wanna say that it had to have been luck. I had to choose an 'Arcana' from this old geezer's fortune cards. Anything I picked, represented that person. Hell, it might've been someone perfect, unhealthy, old, or young. Anyone could've been chosen." Kaito answered.
"And this arcana... Is mine." Showing a monochrome two-face mask that has anger and sadness. "This card represents who I am right now..."
"Bingo."
Joshua stared back at the man. "How do I set you free? What do I need to do in order to get my new life settled?"
Kaito smirked. "Easy, just get back all the cards I lost and find out how to get me out of here. As for your new life, however..."
"I know one of them is giving up my old life back when I used to live with Catherine and her family." He said. "That could only mean one thing... I need to change my identity?"
"Not only are you getting your identity changed, but you're also going to a new country instead." Kaito said.
"What, why?" Joshua asked.
"Because the one you're going to has every card of mine there located." Kaito replied.
"Wouldn't that mean I'd need to learn a new language?" He said.
"No, there's this benefit of helping me out where you'll learn the language immediately once you arrive in the apartment you'll live in. It's somewhere in the middle of this big city, easier to get by and find for more clues on my collection." The young treasure hunter answered.
"What else am I missing then?" Joshua asked.
Kaito then brought up a paper with an emblem to the side, tossing a pen to Joshua. "Sign the contract. Once you're done writing your name there, you'll be heading into your new life. All just for yourself kid."
Joshua hummed. The same words in this contract were like from the letter he received, it has more details that include helping Kaito being free. "Alright, you got yourself a deal. It shouldn't be that hard to find these cards you're talking about."
"It's not exactly easy as you think." Kaito raised a brow. "You'll need the Di-End Driver, it should have a tracker included in the HUD to find them. They aren't exactly in the same...world. Being frank here."
Confused, he reluctantly wrote his name into the contract.
Kaito's smirk formed as he took the paper in and snapped his fingers.
Joshua's first and last name started changing into a new surname, a new identity. He raised his head towards the treasure hunter. "If I remember correctly, a name in Japanese would usually mean something like any other languages. What's mine going to be?"
"You'll see." The young rider then rolled the contract paper up, putting it into his pocket. "Now then, I'll need to be specific on this mission of yours. You already know the basics but, I have to warn you what you're going to be facing..."
[Tokyu, Shibuya Excel Hotel: Evening] April 1st, 2016
After Joshua opened his eyes, he saw the front door of his new room. He glanced back at the people walking by with a sigh. "I didn't think he said I'd get transported immediately..."
Taking out his wallet he noticed several cards, one being an I.D., and a bank account. According to Kaito's foggy memory of how much he stole here, the yens were roughly around the two million marks...
That made Josh take a spit take, although the money will probably be devoured sooner or later. He could use some pocket change for bus fare, food, and many things he'll need while living in Japan.
He turned his head to spot a delivery man coming out of the elevator rolling a cart of packages with his fake name plastered everywhere.
'Wait, are those boxes filled with my stuff on it...? Huh, guess that makes things easier for myself to live in then.'
"Hey, here's your belongings Mr. Takahashi." He said. "Oh, and a few things were added too at the last minute from some man who said he knows you. Someone, you know?"
"...He's an acquaintance of sorts."
"Alright." The delivery man nodded. "Well, it's time I head back to the stations. Nice seeing ya kid."
Joshua waved goodbye at the delivery man. He fiddled with his keys to open his door and saw the nice clean view inside. It was clean, with no dirty rags, dust, or anything that would be unhealthy for having.
The young man carries his packages one after another to his room.
He noticed the familiar logo just like the contract he signed on the front cover of the box, opening the package to see a revolver-like weapon holding a few cards with another letter.
The contents gave brief explanations of what the functions this driver has in store for him to use.
"So this is what I have to do...?" Joshua looks down and repeats the mission Kaito told him on his head.
"Here's the gist kid; You're going to school, getting all my cards back so I can get out of here. After you're done with all that, you'll have a great life staying there."
"Otherwise, there will be consequences if you don't do what I say."
'I'm not Joshua Perez anymore...' He looked at one of the mirrors reflecting him, noticing the new look.
His black hair having a light-blue fade on the front, his green eyes watching the big city's view. Noticing the change of clothes once he saw his dark-blue fur coat, along with his black pants and a pair of sneakers.
"Your name by the way kid, is..."
"Takahashi... Sora..."
Watching the view quietly, he took a feel of the driver and took a deep breath. "I'll need to hurry up and get this mission out of the way soon. So that I can live the rest of my life here in peace."