Double and Kiva: The Great Monster War

Chapter 3: Old and New Enemy

Written by: CMR Rosa, busterleader92 and Despicable-D

(Flashback, the evening prior)

"Is it truly impossible for things to change?" Wataru wondered aloud.

"Only if we stop working for that change," A voice replied from the trees causing Wataru to turn in shock. A man possibly older even than Taiga and Gin stepped from the trees toward Wataru. He was tall, well-built with light brown hair and glasses, and as he stood before Wataru he looked at the younger Fandiri with utmost respect.

"Wataru Kurenai, my name is Kaneshiro Hokuto. I would like to ask for your aid in helping me remake the Yokai world for the better."

"Remake…the Yokai world?" Wataru repeated back to the strange man's sudden request.

"Ah, forgive me." Hokuto quickly threw his hands up in peace and smiled nervously at the Fandiri. "In the excitement of our first meeting, I just suddenly made such a formal request to you. Please allow me to start over." The senior then bowed apologetically to Wataru causing the humble teen to blush embarrassed.

"Ano…you don't have to be so formal to me, sempai." The Fandiri could practically hear his more arrogant side cry out: 'The hell he doesn't!' "I would actually really like to hear what you have to say."

"Very well." Hokuto straightened up as requested, pushing his glasses up business like. "I would like to start off by explaining my position. I represent a non-school mandated party made up of Yokai Academy students, ANTI-THESIS."

"ANTI-THESIS?" Wataru repeated, wondering what kind of organization these students had created within, but not with the consent of the Academy and teachers. And for that matter, what kind of students organized it?

"ANTI-THESIS is a… 'Political group' of sorts. It represents the interest, hopes and dreams of the students who feel discriminated by their fellow monsters, because they are seen as 'Lower Class'," Hokuto explained. "Basically, those of monster blood but not pure enough to be classified as any specific species of Yokai. We are sometimes referred to as 'Monstrels'."

'Half-breeds.' Wataru heard Kurenai mutter, not without a slight hint of disgust.

"And…what does your group want from me?" Wataru asked, confused as to why this group would want to speak with Fangire Royalty at all, considering their bloody history of discrimination against all Yokai races as they believed themselves to be the most superior of all Mazoku.

Hokuto smiled in order to alleviate the youth's worries. "We have also heard of how you and your brother, the current Fangire King, defeated the former Fangire King and are against the old traditions of your race. Even supporting Yokai Academy's ideals of peace between the Yokai and humans. We of ANTI-THESIS also wish for a bright future where we too may no longer be deemed as a lesser breed but as equal Yokai."

"Hokuto-sempai." Wataru was stunned by this man's ideals. True, Taiga and he denied the old ways of their race and refuse to see humans as only a food source and other Yokai as lesser species fit only to be slaves. But he had no idea that just as the Fangires were enslaving the weaker Yokai species, there was a group who suffered under the ire of all the races. But that same group still held aspirations for peace, and are still rallying others to join their cause. "I understand what you are asking, but…I don't know if I'm the one you should be talking to about this. Taiga-niisan should know about your group as well." Hokuto shook his head and set a hand on Wataru's shoulder.

"We of the ANTI-THEIS have always looked up to you, Kurenai-kun. As a Fandiri you are far closer to any of us than we are to the rest of the Mazoku races. Your very existence is proof that something incredible can be born from that which others deem 'impure'. We specifically look to you to create the ideal world we dream of. Which is why, I must rephrase my previous request." Hokuto held his hand out to Wataru in offering. "Kurenai Wataru-kun, if you truly do wish for the Yokai world to change, please, allows us to help you make that wish a reality."

(End Flashback, the next day)

Wataru was not able to respond at first, to make such a momentous pact without discussing such things with his brother and friends could be considered rash. So Hokuto agreed to wait for Wataru's answer until the moment he could present him with one.

Wataru went home that night after retrieving his motorcycle, thoughts of the past few days' events still fresh in his mind. The new school year, Taiga taking over the School Disciplinary Committee, the fight with those strange Rat Fangires and then meeting Hokuto and learning of ANTI-THESIS and their aspirations for him, it was enough to keep up all night from the excitement. And when he did fall asleep, he immediately awoke in a cold sweat.

"I forgot to take the girls home!"

Which leads us to our current scene, ladies and gentlemen. Now pan over back to the Newspaper Club where we find our young, fearless Fangire Prince with his eyes glued to his feet as he sat opposite a table from his three girlfriends glaring with eyes so dagger-like they could cut through steel, who had waited for him until night fall and had to walk home because he had promised to take them all back to their respective dorms on his bike but then never came back. The Fandiri wished he was anywhere but here at the moment.

"Ah…ano-!" Wataru was about to lift his head in order to explain himself but had to duck as a thickly patted snow ball came zooming straight for his face, complements of Mizore. "I deserved that," Wataru admitted. "Just let me explain."

"You promised to take each one of us home on your bike. Instead you never came back, forcing all of us to walk home in the dark." Moka reminded him, she was more disappointed in the Fandiri than angry enough to start lobbing things at his head. Still this behavior was unusual and unacceptable by all their standards. "You had better have a very good reason for why you never came back."

"And if you try to tell us it was because your bike broke down, then we expect you to come back and give us piggy back rides!" Kurumu beat her hand against the table angrily as her claws were beginning to grow long and sharp. "I was going to be first dammit!"

Wataru was choking on a response, but luckily he brought along Ramon, who had been cowering with Yukari in the corner of the room. Wataru's beseeching eyes begged the Merman to come and back him up. Ever loyal to his friend and master, the youngest Arms Monster complied.

"I can help explain, neesan-tachi." Ramon drew the girls' attention on him now. Even if he was the last survivor of one of the most powerful Mazoku clans, he was still young by his race's standards and even if he was technically older than the three girls combined, he didn't like his chances at facing the wrath of all three of them at once. "Uh…I was with Wataru after he left you three waiting at the club room, summoned to fight along with Jiro-san and Riki-san."

"R-right!" Wataru followed on the pace Ramon provided him and started from there. "I was on my way back with my bike when I saw a group of Rat Fangires attacking academy students. They didn't obey my orders to stand down even after I declared who I was, so I had to defeat them before they could hurt anyone else."

The girls looked to each other and then back to Wataru suspiciously. They did believe him about the Fangire attack. There were actually rumors going around about it. And they knew their Wataru well enough to know that he would be one of the first to step in when Yokai Academy students were being attacked by rogue Fangires. What they didn't buy was…

"You needed all three Arms Monsters to fight a pack of Rat Fangires?" Mizore spoke the three's suspicions and Wataru rubbed the back of his neck nervously. But, once again Ramon stepped in to assist.

"It was our suggestion," He admitted abruptly. "The Rat Fangires we faced was of a rare breed and, as far as we Mazoku believed, had gone extinct centuries ago. They were a clan of highly trained and skilled warriors that put other Rat Fangires to shame. We have no idea where these Rats came from 'cause we were so certain that they no longer existed."

Ramon's comment disturbed Wataru slightly. True, they were far smarter and stronger than the black rats he had faced in the past. Their tactics were elite, if not greater, far superior to the other Rats who utilized their numbers merely for the sake of overwhelming their enemies with brute force and no tactical abilities whatsoever. Wataru was curious why such a group had come to Yokai Academy and why they didn't respond when he declared his royal heritage. He would have to discuss this with Taiga and their mother later. For now, and to his relief, his three lovers were starting to accept his explanation and beginning to calm down.

"I suppose we can't blame you for being late after that, you must've had a lot on your mind after such a sudden battle right after we seemed to obtain peace." Moka placed her hand on top of Wataru's in a show of understanding and apology.

Kurumu also took her place at Wataru's side, getting behind him in order to wrap her arms around his neck and rest his head against her bosom. "We're sorry for getting angry, Wataru. We should have known you would never intentionally blow us off. Now, I'm just mad at those rodents for ruining my alone time with my Destined One."

"The next time trouble comes; don't hesitate to call on me. Rey-Kivat and I will always be ready to back you up," Mizore added, pulling herself beside Wataru as well and grabbing his free arm.

"Of course!" A white Kivat with red eyes and blue ears alighted on Mizore's shoulder and nodded his agreement along with his mistress. This was Rey-Kivat; Mizore's Kivat partner that she had acquired during the battle against the Legendorga a year ago, with his help the Yuki-onna is able to become the icy counterpart to Kiva, Kamen Rider Lady Rey.

Wataru was glad that his girlfriends were no longer angry at him which made him slightly guilty, because he had planned to keep one extra bit of information from them on what happened last night. However, this could potentially become a major turning point in his life as a Fangire Royal and he planned to spend the rest of his life with these girls, he was obligated to take their feelings on his choices into consideration.

"Ano…there was actually another reason why I had a lot on my mind last night," Wataru stated. "After the battle, I was approached by one of our seniors." Moka, Kurumu and Mizore all continued to stare intently at him, waiting for him to continue. "He asked me to join a non-school regulated group that he represented. He told me that as a Fandiri and Fangire Royal, I represent hope for his colleagues as they are also considered by the majority of the Yokai world as lesser beings. He asked me for help in his organization's fight for equality among the Yokai races and…I'm actually starting to think that it may be best for me and for the Yokai world if I join them."

The room was silent for several seconds, the three girls retained their positions around and holding the nervous Wataru but he could definitely tell by how tense they were that they were in deep thought over this suggestion. Even Ramon and Yukari were not sure how to react to the situation. Some people however, cannot read the tense atmosphere of a situation and will simply speak their minds.

"I think you should do it, Wataru!" Having listened in on the whole conversation from outside, Gin suddenly busted the club room door down and slid into a seat beside Wataru. "I know as your club president, this is your destiny!" Gin suddenly laid a hand on Wataru's arm and flashed him the most confidence instilling smiling anyone could ever muster.

"Gin-sempai?" Wataru was completely unused to such words from his senior. He had never known that his club president held his best interest in mind.

"I knew from day one that you were meant for a higher purpose. The day it was revealed you were royalty I excused myself to shed tears of pride. I knew even then, you could change the world!" Gin then cast his gazed upward and pointed toward the ceiling. "Now fly from here, young bird! Escape this newspaper strewn nest and fly into the brilliant future you will build with you own-!"

Clunk!

Gin stopped mid-sentence as a water pan fell from mid-air to crash atop his head. "How hammy can you be?!" Yukari grumbled, apparently not amused by the werewolf's showboating. "You obviously just want Wataru to leave so you could be the only boy in a club filled with pretty girls."

"I should have known," Wataru muttered to himself, he could not believe for a second that he actually started to believe the horny wolf cared about anything besides pretty girls. His attention was suddenly pulled back to the previous discussion as three hands were now lying upon his own.

"Wataru-kun."

"Wataru."

"Wataru-san."

Wataru gazed at the three smiling women who held his hand so tightly. Their eyes showed their every feeling to him. Pride, faith and total confidence.

"Wataru-kun, if you really think this is what is best for you to help the Yokai world, then we support you," Moka stated happily.

"Unlike the pervy wolf we do have absolute confidence that you can change the world. So go for it!" Kurumu grinned as she cheered him on.

"It's the wife's duty to mind the house, so we'll make sure the Newspaper Club will still shine even if you're gone," Mizore nodded confidently at her chosen husband.

"Minna…" Wataru had no idea what to say. Even with such a life changing event looming over them, the three continue to show nothing but love and faith in his decisions.

"My other half has something to say as well," Moka added, she raised Wataru's hand up to the rosary hung around her neck and it came off with a click.

Boom!

The room was suddenly cast in crimson light as Moka's hair was suddenly blown upwards by the power suddenly shot from her own body. Her pink hair suddenly turned bright silver and her figure began to fill out until she had the body of a more mature and sensual woman.

Kurumu and Mizore respectfully came the full-fledged Vampire some room and took seats on Wataru's side so the Inner-Moka could address him directly.

"To start off…" Her voice was far harsher and older sounding than the usually sweet 'Outer-Moka' but it also carried a more regal and noble tone to it. "I can't say I care one way or another about equality among Yokai. Strength and nobility will always be what's important to me."

Wataru grinned nervously, ever the warrior, Moka-sama hardly cared about anything beyond another chance to flaunt her strength against considerably powerful opponents.

"Still…" Wataru felt a pair of hands frame the sides of his face as Moka-sama forced him to meet her crimson eyes. "I would not have chosen you as my mate unless I didn't have confidence in your strength to overcome any obstacle set before you. And your nobility is unquestionable. If you wish to make build bridges between the Yokai, I will support you."

"Arigato, Moka-san." Wataru placed a hand over top the one holding his cheeks and stared lovingly at the woman he chose to be his first wife. "Knowing you have faith in me as well, has taken all of the weight from my shoulders. I will make my goal a reality with Hokuto-sempai's and ANTI-THESIS's help!" Wataru proclaimed confidently as his Fangire markings began to show with his confidence.

"Yes!" Gin whisper cheered from his seemingly knocked-out state on the ground. A paradise of pretty girls all to himself was finally in reach. But then something started to bother him, he had never met or heard of anyone in his year or above him that went by the name Hokuto. Plus, the name ANTI-THESIS nagged at him a bit. Where had he heard of that name before?

"Hey, no fair!" His thoughts were suddenly broken as he heard Kurumu calling out in outrage. He looked up and blanched. Wataru and Moka-sama had started to make out above his head, their lips pressed against each other greedily as the ever wild, not to mention pubescent, Mazoku blood within them called out to each other.

'Damn you, Wataru!' Gin chewed upon the end of his collar as he vainly tried to hold back his tears of jealousy. He absolutely could not wait for his kouhai to leave the club.

"Ah, Tatsuma Ryo. Here for business or a pleasure visit?" Haruka asked as the college-age man with fiery red hair and a black jacket baring the image of a flaming dragon on his back knocked at the front door of the Hinata Sou. Accompanying him was a boy of about middle school age. "Welcome back, Kurogasa-kun," Haruka greeted the former resident of the Inn happily.

"Ah! Thank you, Urashima-san!" The young Kurogasa Kururugi bowed respectfully to his former den mother, ever grateful for those weeks he sought sanctuary within the Hinata after his father went missing.

"I have to check in with Urashima right away but then we'll be leaving soon enough," Ryo Tatsuma replied. As if on cue, Mutsumi came down stairs and spotted the police detective immediately.

"Tatsuma-san!" Tatsuma smiled as the young woman dashed into his arms, planting a quick peck on his cheek.

"Yo, Mutsumi-san. We'll leave for our date in just a sec. I have to speak with the Urashimas first," Tatsuma greeted his girlfriend, lovingly returning the kiss.

"Ara…he's actually…a bit preoccupied at the moment." Mutsumi turned toward the Hinata's dining area where sure enough, Tatsuma could hear the bespectacled P.I. apparently talking to someone.

"Oi, Urashima!" Tatsuma stepped into the dining area where he then noticed a new face in the Hinata. The brown haired woman with a pen and pad was holding allowed the police officer to deduce she was here for interview of some kind. "Am I interrupting something?" He asked, wondering why the ever press wary detective was accepting an interview now.

"Ah! Let me guess. You are Police Detective Ryo Tatsuma, right?" The girl guessed. "Otherwise known as, Kamen Rider Accel!"

Tatsuma's eyes widened and he immediately grabbed Keitaro by the arm and pulled him away from the table so they could speak privately. "Urashima! Who is this woman? How does she know who I am!?" The cop whispered suspiciously to his comrade, suspecting the woman to be an enemy.

"Calm down Tatsuma." Keitaro pulled away and returned to his seat at the table. "Let me introduce you to Fujisawa Mizuho. She's a good friend of ours and a journalist looking to report on the cities Dopant problem. She also knows Phillip and I are Double."

"Nice to meet you, Ryo-san!" Mizuho offered her hand to the confused cop who returned the handshake, though hesitantly.

"Uh…ah." This was certainly news to the young detective. For a long time, he and the Urashimas have been trying to get the word out and expose Museum but this task seemed fruitless considering how the underground organization had its claws in just about everything and everyone. There were even cops said to be on their pay role. And now for a journalist who actually had the guts and goal of printing this story was almost too good to be true.

"For now, we're discussing the Kamen Riders and their role in this battle against the threat of Gaia Memories. Would you like to join us, Tatsuma?" Keitaro offered.

"I…have to pass. Beyond hearing what it is you found out about the monster that you and Phillip say has been responsible for the string of murders happening lately, I'm here to pick up Mutsumi-san and Kurogasa-kun is here to see Shinobu-san."

"Well…about what we found out…" Keitaro looked slightly irritated and pointed toward the living area of the Inn. Tatsuma looked in and was surprised to see the younger Urashima was passed out on the couch with a wet towel covering his face.

"Did he get distracted by something and go overboard again?" Tatsuma guessed, understanding that the brain of the Urashima detective agency had just as many cons as he had pros.

Keitaro sighed tiredly. "No, he searched for the information we were looking up, but what he found was so unexpected to him that he was up all night scribbling across the walls and ceiling of our office. I had to finally tie him down so he wouldn't climb up in Naru's room looking for fresh canvas to write on."

"What did he find?"

"Certainly not all of the information we were hoping to find, beyond a name for the thing we might have faced. Fangire."

"Fangire?" Tatsuma repeated. "So it wasn't a Dopant then."

"No. But it was aware of them. It told me so itself that it came to this city to hunt while Dopants take the blame. It's a crafty bastard," Keitaro growled, hating that he had let the thing get away to do who knows.

"Well, if that's all, then I guess I'll take my leave. Bye," Tatsuma nodded to Mizuho before excusing himself. At this point, Shinobu had wandered downstairs and was happily chatting with Kurogasa about their own 'date', though Kurogasa was embarrassed to calm it that.

"So where will you two be going?" Mutsumi asked curiously.

"To the movies!" Shinobu replied excitedly. They were going to see the new Kikaider Reboot movie.

"Ah, you guys going already?" Keitaro popped his head around the corner to address his tenants. "Have fun then, we'll have dinner for you when you get back!" The detective waved the group goodbye with a smile, however Shinobu and Mutsumi ignored the detective and grabbed their dates to walk them out of the Inn.

"Bye, Fujizawa-san!" Shinobu called behind her.

"Ja nei!" Mizuho called back gleefully. Keitaro frowned slightly, because he was clearly being ignored.

"That was kind of unfriendly," Tatsuma pointed out.

"Are you two mad at Urashima-san?" Kurogasa asked.

"It's not that we're mad at him," Shinobu started, unsure of how to explain.

"We've all just decided to be a little bratty to him for a little while," Mutsumi clarified. "The other girls were much worse. Naru-chan 'accidentally' bumped into him and caused his coffee to spill. Then, Aoyama-san put the same shirt in with everyone's red clothes and caused it to turn pink. And at dinner last night, we all just ate silently making the atmosphere tense for Keitaro-kun who had no idea why none of us were talking to him."

Tatsuma raised an eyebrow at this statement. "I understand that you all had given him a hard time at one point or another in the past but I thought you all got past that. Why be mean to him again now?"

"We don't want to be mean, but we can't really be silent about how we feel about the situation at the moment," Shinobu explained. "It's not really our place to say, but…" Tatsuma still looked confused.

"Well, I'm sure Urashima-san has his reasons for doing whatever has upset you all. So let's just leave it to him and enjoy our…date." Kurogasa had to choke out that last word nervously as a blush appeared on his cheeks. Shinobu as well was blushing slightly. Mutsumi at this point had hooked her arm around Tatsuma's and leaning in close against him. The detective sighed and decided not to push further. He trusted that the eldest Urashima would somehow restore some order to his house as he always has, so it was best to not get involved and just enjoy himself for now.

Castle Doran

"This way, Wataru-sama," Ruby directed as Wataru and Ramon came upon her within the long hallways of Castle Doran. Ramon had informed the young Fandiri that his mother, Maya, the previous Queen of the Fangire, wanted to meet with him for dinner so that she could discuss something with him. Wataru was never one to turn down dinner with his family so he complied happily, though he was a little worried on one matter.

"Ano...will Taiga-niisan be eating with us?" Wataru asked his attendants aloud.

"Why of course I am, were you not hoping to see me tonight, dear little brother?" Taiga soon appeared from around a corner and slung an arm over the surprised Wataru's shoulder. He smiled affectionately to his younger brother in greeting, even as his brotherly hug soon became a full head lock. "So, hanging out with your older brother isn't a productive use of your time is it? What about all that you said about loyalty to your friends in the Newspaper Club?" Taiga asked clearly irritated despite his smile.

"How did you find out about that?" Wataru gasped despite his brother's man handling.

"I grilled Gin about it after I heard about you fighting off a group of rogue Fangires. I was expecting to have to dish out some punishment to anybody stupid enough to attack my kid brother and wouldn't you know it, I find out about you planning on joining some other group within the school."

"Now, now boys." Taiga immediately let Wataru go and took up a more dignified, if not un-characteristically tense posture, as the two's mother, escorted by Jiro, came to greet them. "We certainly have a great many things to discuss, but for now our dinner is served." The beautiful, gothic dressed woman led her two sons into the large dining room. The Arms Monsters and Ruby had prepared a delicious and regal meal for them as the three sat down for a family dinner.

"Where are all my future daughters-in-law? So unlike you to not invite them along," Maya pointed out as the three dug in.

"Moka-san, Kurumu-san and Mizore-san all felt that I rarely had dinners with just my family and said that they had no qualms about sitting this dinner out...Also Yukari-san assumed they would all start arguing about the seating order and they may have been worried Kaa-san would scold them again."

"Fufufu!" Maya chuckled to herself at the thought of those girls fighting tooth and nail to win the right to sit beside their beloved at the dinner table. Even now she found their strong affections for her youngest son to be endearing, though she did not possess limitless patience and sometimes had to be the voice of order in the ever growing family. "And what of young Mio-chan? How goes the current Queen?"

"Mio-san had to sit out as well, she has tests tomorrow. She explained she had a lot of studying to prepare with and asked me to send along her apologies."

"Dedicated, I like that," Maya hummed. Both her children were in good hands. A Queen as loving and gentle as Mio would ensure Taiga would never follow his father's path of hatred and domination through force. And Wataru's three lovers would become his pillars of support and his bridges to further support his connection with the entire Yokai world. The future was looking bright. "Speaking of dedication, Wataru, I hear you are building bridges with new factions within your school."

"Ano..." Wataru looked down nervously.

"I hope he enjoys it. He turned down working alongside me to join this group. Probably won't even have the time to help like he promised he would," Taiga continued to uncharacteristically mope.

"Ah...of course I'll still be there to help you Nii-san. Protecting the school and maintaining order is a great responsibility and I want to offer any assistance I can!" Wataru explained to his brother earnestly. He had not wanted to make his older brother feel betrayed by this decision, but he supposed he did not consider Taiga's feelings after he turned down co-heading the Disciplinary Committee with his brother. He just felt that helping to build bridges between the lesser and greater Yokai races alongside ANTI-THESIS was a task more suited to him. Taiga finally sighed and waved him down.

"Forget it. You'll have your hands full anyway. If anybody should be offering assistance it should be me," Taiga smiled to his suddenly dumbfounded brother. "What you're doing is far more suited to you than helping me be an exaggerated hall monitor for a school filled with unruly teens. You're working toward the future filled with peace for the Yokai world, a goal I couldn't imagine anybody but you accomplishing. Make me proud, little brother."

"Nii-san..." Wataru smiled gratefully to his best friend and sibling. No matter what the situation was, he could always count Taiga to have his back, even when he was in danger of losing his position of King for it, he would never betray Wataru. And the feeling was mutual.

"It's nice to know you both are taking active roles within your school's inner workings. Taiga, keeping the peace and Wataru building a future upon it, even at such young ages you're already taking your future places as Kings of the Fangire race," Maya stated with approval. "As for what Taiga has said about this duty being suited to you Wataru..." Maya addressed her youngest. "Your father, Otoya, often bragged that what made him a genius was how he was able to easily move people with his skills, to touch their hearts with his music. I'm sure if you follow his example, you'll know what you must do to succeed."

"Hai, Kaa-san!" Wataru nodded in agreement and understanding.

"Now, on to our most pressing business. I have heard from Jiro-tachi about the Fangires you faced yesterday, Wataru." Maya's tone suddenly took on a serious edge as she set down her cutlery and clasped her hands together, looking at Wataru for him to recount the events to her.

"Ehm. They were an unusual pack of Rat Fangires," Wataru explained as best as he could recall. "They were white as snow and their tactics while fighting were like nothing I've ever seen before. They also seemed to pay no mind when I ordered them to surrender after revealing my royal heritage. They just attacked me without any fear whatsoever." Maya took in everything Wataru said and her brow was becoming ever more furrowed as this news seemed to disturb her more and more.

"White Rat Fangires..." Taiga paused, within his own contemplation. "It's no surprise that it's a pack of Rats that are the culprits here. They've had it out for Fangire Royalty since Kaa-san's reign. Still...something sounds...familiar about what your description of them." Taiga put his hand under his chin as he mulled over what Wataru said.

"It's no surprise that you are familiar with them Taiga, if only vaguely. You were but a child who would drift off to sleep as I recounted such stories to you," Maya sighed. "Truly, these creatures should be stories now."

"Jiro-san said something similar to that!" Wataru recalled. "'They should be extinct', if I recall correctly." Wataru looked to his attendant who nodded in affirmation.

"Jiro wasn't wrong," Maya agreed as well. "The White Rat Fangire Clan had been completely wiped out centuries ago during the reign of Taiga's father. Specifically, in a battle that would mark the end of an era for the Yokai world."

"The Great Monster War..." Taiga realized instantly, though Wataru, having lived a fairly human based lifestyle had no idea what his brother was talking about. Jiro immediately picked up on his master's confusion and coughed so he could elaborate.

"It was near the end of the 17th century, what would be called the Dark Ages of history. It was at this age that mankind's fear of Yokai and Mazoku races had reached a critical point and it seemed that the far more populous and innovative humans would win out, prompting the Yokai races' need for secrecy in the current generation," Jiro explained.

"So what was so special about these White Rats?" Taiga inquired.

"The White Rat Fangire Clan was a force specially bred and trained for war. In numbers they only amounted to a small army, but their tactics were incredibly advanced and their military discipline forced them to never run from a fight even if they were sure to lose. And despite their noble position within the ranks of the Fangire hierarchy, they did not have any loyalty, official or otherwise, to the Checkmate Four or the Fangire King. They served only one master."

"Who could've possibly had an authority greater than the Checkmate Four when Bishop and the previous King ruled?" Taiga demanded, clearly not pleased by the fact that there actually existed Fangires who did not fear the wrath of their King.

"The only authority other than our own then we felt deserved respect," Maya explained and her face seemed pained as she recalled her life from so many centuries ago. "Back then, the ultimate power of authority for Fangires and all Yokai under us was held by we of the Checkmate Four, with King's authority being absolute above all else. But...in terms of raw, devastating power and a peerless ability for combat, there was the absolute strongest Fangire of the age, the one man upon whom we bequeathed the title: Knight."

"Knight?" Both brothers said as one.

"The monster that all monsters feared," Riki shivered from his race's old bedtime stories telling of the Knight's destructive battle tendencies.

"A peerless Fangire General who led a great force of the various Mazoku races into the final battle of the Great War," Jiro recounted as he had been told many times before.

"The hero of all Yokai!" Ramon childishly declared. His comrades looked at him incredulously.

"True for every word," Maya agreed to each of the Arms Monsters in turn. "He was a true enigma amongst our race. His strength practically exceeded King's by a large margin and yet he had no desires to usurp the throne from him. He was a merciless military leader but always fought for the sake of the Yokai world as a whole. He was a berserker on the battlefield but compassionate to any and all Yokai who approached him."

"He doesn't sound like any Fangire I've ever heard of," Taiga commented.

"I often said the same thing," Maya agreed. "His kindness and compassion made him seem like he had far more in common with humans than Fangire. Bishop often remarked that we should be wary that he may one day betray us for the human's. But instead...he had made a final stand that would forever engrave him into Yokai legend."

"What happened to the Knight, Kaa-san?" Wataru asked, curious how such a being could have just faded into history.

Maya crossed her hands once again and stared at the table as if the answers to the questions plaguing her mind would appear within the graded wood. "He perished during the last battle of the war, his honor guard with him. Which brings us back to our initial question: How could a clan of Fangire who were so loyal to their general that they all perished with him still be alive to this day?"

Tokyo, the same evening

"They've been gone for a while," Keitaro observed as the hours had ticked on toward dusk and his tenants and their dates had yet to return home.

"Oh, they just must be having a good time," Mizuho replied trying to wave Keitaro's worries away. "Remember some of our old dates?" She asked, slightly flushed. "We used to stay out so late, that Urashima-san used to threaten to hire Narumi-san to track us down and bring us home."

"Heh, true enough," Keitaro chuckled, sipping from the coffee he prepared for the two as they chatted. "I remember that one night we snuck into Futo Tower so we could see the entire city at night. We were up there for barely a minute before we had to escape security!"

"Oh yeah. I remember that night! We were almost cornered on the roof so you had to use your Spider Gadget to rappel us down the tower face," Mizuho giggled. "I started bawling my eyes out while we were going down. I was so scared we might fall or you might drop me."

"I would never have dropped you. You should know that," Keitaro stated, matter of fact before realizing what he had just said and face palming in shame. His reaction was not lost on Mizuho who looked to her coffee awkwardly. "I'm sorry, I really shouldn't say something like that, should I?" Keitaro apologized.

"It's alright, I was the one who said we needed to split up wasn't I?" Mizuho tried to reassure him, though her smile was severely forced. "You had your path in life and I had mine. Even Narumi-san had to live separate from his family so he could work."

"The boss led a lonely life style that he could last through only because he had the willpower to do so. I don't know where I'd be if I hadn't had Phillip or Kanako watching my back." Keitaro scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. "Even now I'm stepping further and further away from the boss's life style by surrounding myself with all kinds of people. Still, I wish you and he had met more often. He would have been a far more incredible person for you to interview, though he would have probably turned you down the moment you asked."

"Maybe so, but I'm pretty persuasive and I'm sure I'd wear him down eventually with my asking," Mizuho winked knowingly.

"Haha! That's why you're a great reporter, you don't know the meaning of the word 'No'." That was when Keitaro heard a familiar beeping noise coming from his pocket and his cheer fell away. He opened his Stag Phone and sure enough, a red dot indicating the response from a Gaia Memory appeared. "Dopant, Phillip!" Keitaro immediately hopped from his chair and went to rouse his still sleeping brother.

"Hn...Hm?" The bookworm sleepily rubbed the sleep from his eyes as he took in his surroundings. "What's happening?" He asked clueless and obviously still barely awake.

"Dopant, city potentially in danger, Henshin!" Keitaro called out all the points he needed to make and his younger brother nodded in affirmation as Keitaro strapped his Double Driver around his waist, prompting one to appear on Phillip as well. "Make sure he doesn't fall asleep again." Keitaro instructed Mizuho to which the young journalist nodded. Keitaro slipped out of the dining room and nearly bumped into Kitsune who happened to be lingering in the hall just outside the room. "Sorry Kit, duty calls!" Keitaro gave the blonde a quick peck on the cheek and dashed off, finally meeting Kanako who explained she also detected a Dopant. The two siblings immediately exited the Inn and mounted their respective motorcycles, Keitaro on the Hardboilder and Kanako on Skullboilder.

"I just need some coffee," Phillip explained as the remaining Urashima sleepily fixed himself a cup of Joe. Mizuho and Kitsune just stood opposite each other awkwardly. The blonde clearly must've overheard the two's earlier conversation and Mizuho could definitely detect some discontent with the now sober woman.

"Would you like a cup as well?" Mizuho offered trying to break the tension.

"Actually, some booze would be pretty good right now."

Boom! Boom!

Keitaro and Kanako could hear the resounding noise of cannon fire before they even came upon the scene. They immediately saw artillery soaring across the sky, aiming for some unseen target. "Ryo must already be on the scene," Keitaro deduced. "Help him out. We'll provide air support on the Hardturbuler!" Keitaro instructed as he pulled out a navy blue Gaia Memory. Kanako nodded and pulled out her own black Memory.

"TRIGGER!"

"SKULL!"

"Henshin!" The two called as one before inserting their respective Memories. A yellow Memory appeared in the Memory Slot on Keitaro's Driver as he slid both slots to the side to form a 'W' and Kanako pushed the slot of her Lost Driver to the side so that it resembled a sideways 'L'.

"LUNA-TRIGGER!"

"SKULL!"

Twin tornadoes surrounded the brother and sister as static discharge from their Memories caused debris from the ground to bond to their bodies as armor. Kanako removed her fedora as her armor formed. Keitaro was now clad in the armor of Double but different to Fang-Joker. This armor was more subtle in shape and design and was half yellow on one side and blue on the other with a blue handgun strapped to his chest. Kanako replaced her fedora onto her skull designed helmet. Her armor was mostly black with white, rib like designs on the chest and white cuffs and anklets. A crack ran down the center of her helmet's forehead. Kanako had become Kamen Rider Skull.

The two nodded to each other one last time before Lady Skull sped off to where she assumed the cannon fire originated from as Double punched in the command codes into his Stag Phone. Double only had to wait a few moments before his tank-like garage module, the Revolgarry, came speeding around the corner and pulled up beside him.

Double reversed the Hardboilder onto the Garry's platform so that he could connect to its revolving wheel module. The back wheel portion of the motorcycle was detached and replaced by a red, jet-engine like module. Double pulled away from the Garry as his bike shifted into Flight Mode where his front tire rotated so that its face pointed up and the jet's wings spread wide. Double gunned the engine, prompting the newly formed Hardturbuler to rocket into the sky.

"Where is it?" Keitaro demanded as he scanned the pitch black horizon for any sign of their flying foe. "I can't see anything up here!"

"Look out!" Phillip suddenly swerved the bike to the side as a massive shape suddenly zoomed by them - it had been soaring down in a dive bomb just where the Hardturbuler had been hovering earlier. The massive form swerved across the sky only to loop back around for a second attempt at Double, however cannon fire courtesy of Ryo forced the Dopant to be more cautious in its approach as it twisted and dipped in order to avoid being hit. As an added bonus, the light given off from Ryo's cannon fire cast the Dopant in enough light for Double to take in the appearance of his foe. The brothers' had very different opinions about their enemy.

"That thing is massive!" Keitaro gulped as he took in the giant Dopant's wingspan – it was twice as wide as Garry! The creature resembled a bird covered in grayish fur with thick leathery wings and scaled talons. Phillip on the other hand reviewed the creature and ran it through his Gaia Memory references.

"It appears to be the Quetzalcoatlus Dopant," Double's right side stated matter-of-factly.

"I can't even pronounce that!" Keitaro griped. "Let's just ground this thing so Ryo and Kanako can take their shots!" Keitaro called out as he equipped the Trigger Magnum and sent the Hardturbuler zooming off after the Quetzalcoatlus Dopant. Double squeezed the trigger of his firearm, sending beams of swerving light racing after the flying beast and searing into its wings. The creature slowed slightly but did not appear overly affected by Double's assault.

"Its hide is too thick for Luna-Trigger," Phillip clarified, taking out his red Gaia Memory. "We need more destructive power!"

"HEAT-TRIGGER!"

Double switched out his right side Memory, prompting his yellow side to turn red. Double gunned the engine once more as he followed behind the flying Dopant. The barrel of the Trigger Magnum exploded with a burst of automatic fire. A hail of fireballs exploded across the Dopant's back, the massive monster screeching in pain as the flames scorched the Dopant's hide.

"Alright, now that's more like it!" Keitaro shouted with glee as Double spun his magnum around his fingers.

"Now, time to count up your sins!"

Double commenced aerial combat as he and the Quetzalcoatlus Dopant danced across the sky. Double was able to score massive damage to the creature's back and wings, forcing it to fly lower and lower as its wings burned under the constant firepower.

Boom!

Finally, Ryo had managed to score a hit on the Dopant as his artillery crashed into the creature's stomach. It squawked painfully before its wings went limp and it began to fall to the earth below.

"Direct hit!" Skull cried happily as she patted the machine beside her. The machine was a combination of mortar cannon on wheels and what appeared to be a red motorcycle. However, the body of the cycle greatly resembled a human figure. This was Kamen Rider Accel, a Kamen Rider capable of becoming his own motorcycle. His human identity was the Police Detective Tatsuma Ryo.

"It's coming our way. Get ready to break its Memory!" Ryo instructed as he revved the handle bar-shaped Accel Driver and sent energy streaming into his mechanical partner, the Gunner A. The mortar cannon began to hum as red energy built within its barrel and Accel took aim.

"Right!" Kanako removed the Skull Memory from her Driver and inserted it into her Skull Magnum, shifting the gun into Maximum Mode.

"SKULL! MAXIMUM DRIVE!"

Double noticed that Ryo and Kanako were ready on their end and decided to add his own attack to the mix. "A triple Maximum might be overkill, but I think this thing's just big enough that the user should survive it." Double inserted the Heat Memory into the Trigger Magnum and shifted his own weapon to Maximum Mode.

"Trigger...Explosion!"

"Skull Punisher!"

Double let loose with a line of intense heat as Kanako pumped the trigger of her own weapon, sending a barrage of explosive shots soaring upward. Both Maximum attacks crashed into the Dopant, causing its body to erupt into flames. At this point Ryo finished charging his cannon and let loose with a beam of red energy that utterly engulfed the Quetzalcoatlus Dopant, causing it to explode as a small flash drive flew out from the explosion and shattered into a dozen bits.

"That clinches it!" Kanako snapped in victory as Double landed the Hardturbuler behind her and Accel who had returned to Rider form.

"I definitely saw the Memory break, but where's the user?" Ryo inquired, they thankfully could not find a corpse, but they hardly liked the idea of someone with the intention of using such a dangerous Memory running free.

"Their Memory is broken, so until they acquire a new one, they'll probably stay off the streets in order to lick their wounds," Phillip deduced.

"Great! Two perps lost in one week!" Keitaro groaned. "What would the boss say if he saw this?"

"You're not Narumi-san, Onii-chan," Kanako reminded her depressed brother. "Besides, it just means we have two perps running scared and not likely to move as they wish to anymore. They'll think twice before causing trouble for a while."

"You have a point I suppose," Keitaro accepted with a shrug. "Let's head back for now. Speaking of which, what happened to your date with Mutsumi-san?"

"Moment that thing showed up Kurogasa took Mutsumi-san and Shinobu-chan to a safe distance so I could fight it off. They should be at the police station. Let's pick them up and head back," Ryo suggested as the three de-transformed and rode off on their respective motorcycles. The trio had been so hasty to head back they did not notice the figure skulking from the shadows, an unconscious woman with long black hair held in their arms.

"Don't think it's over so soon you Kamen Rider bastards!" The figure snarled hatefully. "My revenge is far from over..." The figure stared with glee at the woman in their arms and snickered expectantly. "And my revenge on you, my dear little doll, is not even close to being fulfilled. Bwuhahaha…ha-ha-hahaHAH!"