Toa Solaric: I don't own Kamen Rider Kabuto or Hyperdimension Neptunia/ Chou Jigen Game Neptune. They belong to their respective owners just as anything that originated from other series. I am only writing this for fun and not for any kind of profit. So no one get it in their heads to sue me. Here will be the latest chapter of Kabuto since it has been a while when I returned to this story. This story is still alive!
Neo Riders: Kabuto and Gatack of Gamindustri
Ch8: White Heart's Request? The Challenge of Extender Ride!
In the forest of Lowee, an explosion can be heard as two figures fighting each other. Arfoire was panting to her breath as Caucasus become visible before her presence.
"So this is the power of the former Goddess of this world…" Caucasus said.
"You! Are you with them?!" The former Goddess demanded angrily. She still can't believe there are more of these pests have appear in this world.
"Hmph, I'm neither," Caucasus taking out his gun and fired at her.
The former Goddess blocked his shots by spinning her scepter to make a shield. But Caucasus moved forward to strike Arfoire. The two had their weapons locked in.
"You… who are you?" Arfoire demanded.
"Your demise…" Caucasus said before he kicked her off. Arfoire tried to uses her power of conjuring monsters to attack him. When the monsters are getting closers to the golden rider, Caucasus whispered two words.
"Clock up…"
His disappearance surprised the monsters before they were all cut down everywhere and Arfoire got the same treatments.
"This isn't over…!" The former Goddess growled as she struggled of getting herself up. Caucasus was standing behind her.
"Rider Beat!"
"RIDER BEAT!"
He punched her in the stomach and caused an explosion around the area. Caucasus thought he got her until her body disappearing into thin air.
"Hmph…" Caucasus looked at thin air where Arfoire's body has disappeared.
"Immortals are truly hard to crush…" Caucasus cursed before turning away from the scene.
(Play Next Level by YU-KI)
As the song begins the screen is covered by insect wings which soon falls apart revealing Kamen Rider Kabuto in Masked Form. The next scene shows Kabuto in Rider form arrives being surrounded by Worms. He gets ready for battle as the next scene shows him riding on the Kabuto Extender.
Kimi ga negau koto nara subete genjitsu ni naru n' darou
Kabuto continues drive in a wide open area in which he is soon replaced by Ran, Azuya, Neptune, Compa, and IF walking in different paths. The next scene is a meteor crashing into a city.
Erabareshi mono naraba
The next scene shows how many Worms can disguise as normal people and bunch of Dungeon monsters are attacking. The scene soon shows lights in the sky by a tower.
Bousou hajimete
Ran and Azuya on their bikes, they get ready for their journey.
Sekai wo moto ni modosu ni wa mou. Jikan ga nai
Ran, Azuya, Neptune, Compa, and IF heads of through the Dungeon of unknown.
MOVING FAST Kokoro no tokei ni hashirase
Neptune is playing a videogame. Compa is looking around the medics' cabinet. IF practiced with her weapons. Azuya is practicing his swords with the Gatack Zecter watching. Ran and Kabuto Masked Form pass through each other. The same with Azuya and IF as they passed their Masked Forms.
Ashita no sono saki e
Ran, Azuya, and IF stands back to back with their respective rider forms. Neptune saw the silhouette of Noire, Blanc, and Vert as she can't help but trying to figure them out before she saw Ran reach his hand for her.
Kimi no tonari tatakau tabi umarekawaru
Kabuto, Gatack, and Sasword use Cast Off and transformed into their Rider forms. Kabuto shows off his Clock Up and ran through a frozen explosion. Soon there are more Zecter Riders with different Zecters coming as they fought against each other.
Me ni mieru SPEED koete 'ku MOTION
The next scene is Kabuto, Gatack, and Purple Heart shows off their fights skills so far as they fight Worms and Dungeon Monsters.
Ittai jibun igai dare no tsuyosa shinjirareru?
Without a clue of who she was, Neptune begins to cry before noticing green slime dropping in front of her. Ran under a tree and stared up to the sky for answers.
Kousoku no VISION minogasu na. Tsuite koreru nara...
Kabuto starts a fighting in Clock Up along with Gatack and Sasword. The three riders stand side by side as the screen covered up by insect wings and the logo.
The party's quest for the Key Fragment in Lowee yielded no results, no matter how many monsters they defeated, not a single clue as to the Key Fragments whereabouts surfaced. Right now, Neptune was sitting on a bench with Ran and Azuya as she was eating snacks while Compa and IF were looking for information.
"Why does it have to be so hard to find the Key Fragment? Hey Azu-kun, do you think you can whip up a Key Fragment tracker dealie for us?" Neptune asked.
Azuya sweatdropped at Neptune's question but he shake his head towards the immature leader of the party.
"I don't think… I could make such a device since I would need the materials and they won't be cheap." Azuya said.
"Drag… Ran-kun, Azu-kun, I'm cold." Neptune said.
"This is why you shouldn't get ice cream since it winter here." Ran retorted.
"But it taste so nice! You should have some!" Neptune grabbed onto Ran's arm and trying to pulled him off the bench.
"No thanks." Ran said as he resisted Neptune's pulling.
"Come on! One bite with me!" Neptune said.
"No."
"Come on!"
Azuya couldn't help but feel a little amused about the interaction before his presence since he and Ran developed kind of protective nature for Neptune after traveling for few days in this world. But he especially enjoys watching this interaction.
"Come on, Neptune. You know better not to have cold snacks in this weather here." Azuya said with a little chuckled. This caused Neptune to pout.
"Not you too, Azu-kun." Neptune grunted.
IF and Compa had finally come back from gathering information, they saw Neptune talking with Ran and Azuya, "Did you guys wait long?"
"Not at all," Ran said.
"So any luck on the lead?" Azuya asked.
"No one knows anything about it or where it could be." Compa said.
Neptune turns her attention to everyone after stop bothering Ran and announced her idea, "We should go to the Basilicom. They gotta know of more dungeons with strong monsters we can go to."
"I guess that would be our only opinion from here." Ran said with slight surprised.
They agreed as the party set out for the central Basilicom, Entremets.
The party arrived at Entremets after another unpleasant trip through the desolate forest path. Neptune was the first to run up to the religious structure.
"Hello? Anybody in there? We need some more info on dungeons!" Neptune shouts while pounding on the door.
The door suddenly opened and standing in the doorway was Lady White Heart's chamberlain Financier.
"I apologize, but our goddess is not seeing guests today." She said with an apologetic look.
"What? Is she still upset about last time? Can't you do anything about it, Chamberlain-san?" Neptune asked.
"I have no way to change our goddess' demands. Please leave." Financier replied stoic.
Neptune was about to say something before IF puts her hand on her shoulder and shook her head.
"Nep, she can't help. Let's go for now. I already thought up another plan in cast this happened." IF said.
"Really?" Azuya asked in surprised.
"And that is?" Ran looks curious at IF.
"Just follow my lead." IF said as she takes the charge of the group's direction back to town.
(Town)
The group followed IF and Sasword Zecter back to a park with less human activity.
"No one is here." Sasword Zecter said to his partner. IF nodded to the Zecter before face the party.
"What are you talking about?" Kabuto Zecter asked.
"There's something we haven't told you guys. We actually… belong to the guild." IF said.
"What's the Guild?" Azuya asked. He, Neptune, and Ran looks at IF before Compa decided to spoke up.
"The Guild? I've learned a little about it. They're the people who don't worship the goddess of the land that they're born on." Compa explained.
"So they don't believe in the goddess' power?" Neptune asked in surprised.
"I think she means they worship another goddess." Ran said. He finds this very uncommon in the world.
"Pretty much. We're so-called heretics. Like, if someone born on Lowee worshipped Lady Green Heart instead of Lady White Heart." IF said as she crossing her arms.
"So? Who d'you believe in? Tell me, tell me, tell me!" Neptune said curious.
IF swat Neptune's hand, annoyed at the immature goddess for pestering her, "Nope! I can't tell that to anyone. Not even an amnesic idiot like you."
"I take it that being heretic is different?" Azuya asked. IF nods before continued her explanation.
"The heretics gathered together and established the Guild. It's the same on every planet, but people look down on Guild members. They're branded as heretics, after all." IF continued.
"So, where are these Guild members? Do they travel the world like you, Iffy?" Compa asked.
"One of the answers to that… is here, on Lowee." IF said.
"IF… I'm not sure what to say but thanks." Ran said. IF looked away from Ran.
"I-It's not a big deal, really. Someone has to fix our problem and we can't expect you and Azuya to take care of the group." IF said.
She and Sasword Zecter soon walk away from the party.
"I will be right back." IF said. "Don't do anything rash."
"You know how there's a Basilicom in each Lowee city, right? They govern the local area?" IF asked.
"Yes I remember. It's a bit different from other lands where there's only one. Does it have something to do with the Guild?" Compa asked to the brunette.
IF redirected her attention to the pink cellphone in her hand, "Hold on. I've got a helper today. We can talk after she arrives. She's involved, too."
"Is she trust worthy source?" Ran asked. IF nodded.
"I wonder who it could be…." Azuya said.
An individual approached the party, who they believed to be IF's helper. Azuya, Ran, Neptune, and Compa were surprised to see who it was, "Hello. We meet again. I'm Financier, Lady White Heart's Chamberlain. I would've never guessed that IF was also a Guild member."
Neptune looked from IF to Financier, then back at IF, and repeated, "She's your helper? Why? She's a Guild member, too? But… she's taking care of Lowee's CPU, right? This is whack!"
"But why would you go this far…?" Ran asked.
"Yes, I'm a member as well. But I don't worship Lady White Heart. Work is work. My beliefs are my beliefs. But I'm sure I'll be thrown out as soon as this is public knowledge."
Fortunately for Financier, there was no one passing through the park the group was meeting in, so aside from the party, no one else would know that she did not believe in the CPU of Lowee.
"It sounds tough of being a heretic towards where you are born…" Azuya said.
"How are the towns of Lowee and the Guild related?" Compa asked.
"The Guild's hideout, subtly titled Guild City is among Lowee's cities. About ten years ago, there was an oppressive movement against heretics in Leanbox, leading to a major purge. Most members barely made it to Lowee safe. That's supposedly how the Guild started."
"So now what are the heretics doing here in Lowee? This is gonna lead to another Leanbox." Compa said.
"Those who escaped to Lowee were temporarily taken into custody as heretic at Entremets, the Central Basilicom. Then, they decided to create a city for the heretics, run by heretics. That is Guild City. Their Basilicom is run by the Guild and their members are the city's residents. The whole city belongs to the Guild."
"Long story short, this spot's part of Guild City, yeah? It's not really different looking from other places…" Neptune said.
"I don't think the heretics want to make it too obvious to other inhabitants in Lowee about where they live." Ran explained after listening to the girls. IF nodded her head.
"Exactly. We wouldn't want to make it look obvious. But there's more to the story." IF said.
"We want to see the CPU! Chamberlain-san is our helper, right? How can we get into Entremets?" Compa asked, with serious in her eyes.
Neptune chimed in as well, "Don'tcha have special Chamberlain privileges? I betcha they'll let us in if we're buddied up with you."
"A Chamberlain doesn't have much power. If I tried to let someone in without permission, somebody else will stop me." The Basilicom employee explained sadly.
"Hold on… don't you guys have secret escape routes to make sure the heretics could escape from possible dangerous?" Azuya asked.
Chamberlain stared at Azuya for a moment, "You friend is sharp, isn't he? Back to what I was saying. The heretics in the Basilicom will be thrown out once they're found. But depending on the situation, additional punishments may apply. The Leanbox purge is not an unrelated matter. On that note, each Lowee Basilicom is connected to Entremets via secret underground pathways."
"Underground tunnels for Basilicom heretics to use as a means of escape. Financier can take us there so we can enter Entremets." IF explained.
"I see now! It makes sense! Let's head to that underground… tunnel… place. That's our best chance to see the goddess." Compa said, smiling.
Soon Financier turned in the direction of the nearest exit of the town to show the party the hidden passage to Entremets. Neptune and Compa immediately followed after Financier, while Azuya, Ran, and IF maintained a comfortable distance behind the three girls. The three riders keep an eye out for any Worms that attempted to follow them as they enter passage.
"Hey IF." Azuya said.
"What?" IF looks at him.
"Umm… This Leanbox purge you and Financier were talking about… were you targeted as well?" Azuya asked.
This cause some surprised on brunette's face, "Umm… why do you ask?"
"Because we thought your family might be in danger if you helped us." Ran explained.
"Umm… thanks for your concern… but I'm fine." IF said. She was glad that the tunnel was dark so her friends won't notice her cheek turning bright red.
"That is good to know." Azuya said.
(Underground cave)
"So this is it? I sense the aura of monsters! How would you really use these tunnels if it came down to it?!" Compa said after the party entered.
Financier shrugged her shoulders at the nurse-in-training, "We've never had to use them. The monsters started migrating here to escape the frigid weather outside."
"I-I see. That's only natural. Monsters are living beings with feeling too, after all." Compa said.
"Let's move. Financier can't fight, so we have to take care of the monsters without her!" IF said.
"We don't have to worry about that. We got Ran-kun and Azu-kun here." Neptune said with confidence.
IF glance back at the purple preteen, "What have I told you about leaving everything up to them? Still, I will give you that one. They're like those super tag team duo characters or something."
Neptune heading towards the depths of the cave, "Now let's go and see us a goddess!"
The party began to move their way into the cave leading to Entremets, and most importantly, the CPU of Lowee.
"IF, I have something I'd like to ask you." Financier said.
"What is it?" IF asked.
"Is there something going on with you and those boys?" Financier asked.
"WHAT?!"
Ran, Azuya, Compa, and Neptune stopped to look back at their party member, "What's the matter, Iffy?"
"Uhh… n-nothing's wrong! I just uh remember something I had watched earlier and just now thought about it." IF lied.
Neptune pulled a lollipop out of her hoodie pocket and stuck in her mouth, "Whatever you say, Iffy."
"What do you think they're talking about, Gatack?" Kabuto Zecter asked.
"Who knows? But it could be one of those girls talking," Gatack Zecter shrugged.
As the group continued moving further, IF glared back at Financier, "What the hell of question was that?"
"I was curious about the rumored Venom Swordswoman interested in guys." Financier answered with a smiled. This caused the brunette Guild member began to stammered as she looked away, "What?! Wh-whhy I'm interested in either of them? I'm not interested in them!"
"Are you sure?" Financier asked. "Because I thought you might reached the age when you meet someone interested you… Your friends seem to be interested in them."
IF turned her gaze toward Neptune.
Suddenly the Zecters starts to react as they went to their partners' side.
"It looks like we have company, aibou," Gatack Zecter said.
"What are we dealing with?" Ran asked.
"My sensors tell there are vary of monsters and Worms…" Kabuto Zecter answered.
Bursting out of the walls were some monsters that the group recognized as 'Killer Rabbits' but they had snow white fur coats and couple of Salis Worms.
"Let's go!" Azuya said as he, Ran, and IF got out their transformation devices.
They got their Zecter partners in hands.
"Henshin!" They all shout out.
"HENSHIN!"
They transformed into their Masked Rider forms.
"We will handle the monsters here!" Compa said, she got out her giant syringe and aiming at the Berserker Bunny.
"Alright!" Neo Gatack nodded as he starts firing his shoulder cannons at some of the Worms.
Neo Kabuto got out his kunai-axe in slash some of the worms and sends them flying backward. Sasword and Neptune standing back to back before they jumped up as the Killer Bunnies hit each other in the head.
Sasword pulled her sword out before decapitating another monster and worm before they exploded. However, the Killer Bunny Neptune thought was defeated revealed to be a Worm before it suddenly starts glowing soon.
Sasword held bunch of small Monsters with her Blood Vessels before throwing them up in the air. Neo Gatack saw them and fired multiply shots at them as they caused chains of explosion which destroyed more monsters.
"Oh… dear…" Neptune said before Neo Kabuto trying to kill it but it soon transformed into the Phylloxera Worm.
The Worm suddenly moved up in Clock Up and started to attack the party members. Neo Kabuto and Sasword got themselves up.
"Let's go," Neo Kabuto said. Sasword agreed.
"R-right!"
"Cast Off!"
"CAST OFF!"
Their armor pieces flew off in different directions. Sasword's eyes glowed while Neo Kabuto's horn flew up to his visor.
"CHANGE BEETLE!"
"CHANGE SCORPION!"
"Clock Up!" Neo Kabuto and Sasword said.
"CLOCK UP!"
(In Clock Up)
Neo Kabuto and Sasword saw the Phylloxera Worm tried to flee from them. Neo Kabuto shots the Worm's behind many times before Sasword caught up to it and tried to slash but the Worm blocked her attack with its arm. The Worm slashed Sasword in the chest before sending her back against the wall.
Before Phylloxera Worm finished her off, Neo Kabuto has jump between them before delivering a swipe kick to the Worm.
"Are you alright?" Neo Kabuto asked.
"I'm fine…" Sasword said.
Neo Kabuto turned around and slashed the Worm several times. Sasword jumped from Neo Kabuto's shoulder and slashed the Worm several places as well.
The Worm glared at the Riders before charging. Sasword moved out of the way when Neo Kabuto moved in. He punched it before pressing his button.
"ONE."
Neo Kabuto dodged a hit before hitting it again and pressing another button.
"TWO."
And again, he pushed the Worm behind him.
"THREE."
Neo Kabuto prepared his finisher.
"Rider… Kick." He pulled the horn.
"RIDER KICK!"
Electricity flowed through his helmet then into his leg but when Neo Kabuto spun his foot, the Worm grew wings before flying away, dodging Kabuto's Rider Kick.
"Damn it!" Neo Kabuto said before getting his gun out and firing but he only missed. It was then only a matter of seconds before the Worm was completely gone.
"CLOCK OVER!"
Neo Kabuto placed his gun down as Sasword stares at him. Neo Gatack and others walked toward them right now.
"Did something happen?" Compa asked.
Neo Gatack looked at Neo Kabuto and Sasword before he understood their silent.
"Let me guess…" Neo Gatack guessed. "The Worm escaped?"
This caused Sasword to look away in embarrassment.
"It's bad enough." Sasword scoffed.
"I called that cheating in this story." Neptune said.
"But what now?" Compa asked.
"I guess we should continue our path to see White Heart." Neo Kabuto said, "We will figure out what to do about the Worm later after our meeting."
"Sound like a good idea." Neo Gatack replied.
Sasword look at Neo Kabuto quietly before the party continued moving.
(In White Heart's chamber)
The CPU of Lowee was lying across her bed with a book in hand, and a small pile of books next to her.
"…Neptune's already given up. Or, maybe she never meant to go back." White Heart thoughts as she flipped the page of her book.
White Heart glanced over at the door upon hearing it open, "Financier? I thought you took the day off."
"Sorry-dorry! The correct answer is: Neptune, her super-amazing bodyguards and her three awesome birdies!"
Financier began to panic as Neptune had included her, "D-D-Don't include me in this! I told you not tell her I was here."
Azuya facepalm and sighed, "This is just great…"
"You brought them? Whatever. I'll hear you out… since you're here, go away. Take them, too."
"Understood! Everyone, let's go before our Lady verbally abuses us, crushes our egos, and takes away our wills to live."
IF looked at Financier as if she was insane, "What?! Financier! There's no way Nep can carry on an important conversation by herself…!"
"Nep-Nep, focus and do your best! I believe in your social skills!" Compa encouraged Neptune.
"I'm afraid we have no choice in this." Ran said.
"Good luck, Neptune-chan!" Azuya said before the group left Neptune alone with White Heart.
White Heart narrowed her eyes at the door as it closed, "…Damn Chamberlain."
The CPU of Lowee directed her attention at Neptune, "Told those guys your identity? Careless idiot."
"Are you still angry…? Sorry. But I really gotta ask about that Key Fragment again." Neptune replied.
"…You've developed a tough skin since coming to the human world. Or should I say fat skin with lots of blubber?" The CPU of Lowee continued. "…Whatever. I've no intention to talk to you! I won't tell you a damn thing. Not even if I did know something! Stupid brat! What're you here for?! What happened to your frickin' land? Stuff your fat head into your ass and go home!"
Did I do something to make her this angry before? Neptune thought.
"L-Lady White Heart?! You're not acting like you were a second ago… Did I step on a personality swap button trap…?" Neptune asked in surprised.
"You've stepped all over me and my land! Looking for an item? Get the hell outta here!"
A nervous bead of sweat ran down Neptune's cheek as she was subject to Lady White Heart's vulgarity, "Whoa! What's wrong with you? Why're you being a vulgar meanie? Ran-kun, Azu-kun and I just wanna save Histy! Whatcha got to lose by helping us? Aren't you Lowee's CPU?!"
"How dare you bring that shit up with me! What's wrong with YOU, bitch?! 'Lady White Heart?' You're creepin' me out. And another thing, what the hell's up with you and those two boys? What exactly did you promised them in helping you? Or have you turned into a stupid sick puppy toward them?" White Heart sniped at her.
The CPU of Lowee suddenly stopped; her voice became much softer and much less vulgar, "Huh? …Lady… White Heart? You called me by my full name…"
Neptune assumed her thinking position and smiled as the tension and hostility in the room dissipated, "Yep, Lady White Heart! D' you wanna be called something more fun? How about Whitypoo?"
"Call me that again and I'll kill you! I guess you're not someone who can pretend or lie…"
"Huh?!" What's up with you? You were super mad, and now you're all smirkalicious…" Neptune said, confused.
"…Forget it. It's fine. You can leave now."
"How could I?! I'm way confused here! I'm not gonna go until you tell me about monsters and the Key Fragment!"
White Heart released a sigh at this predicament, "…Okay. Write your questions on a damn piece of paper and give it to the Chamberlain. I'll write back."
Neptune eyed the goddess suspicious, despite the fact she could not even see her face, "You sure? Now you sound really indifferent or something."
"…Oh no, I'm think I'm growing more fond of you. You're exactly who I thought you were…"
Neptune turned to leave the room, when Lady White Heart stopped her, "…Wait. Before you leave, I would like to see this 'Bodyguard'… Ran …person in private."
The purple haired preteen immediately turned around, her cheeks began to turned red, "Huh? What do you want Ran-kun for? Are you gonna try and get him in bed with you so you can do the dirty thing? How could a Goddess like you become so low? He is MY bodyguard!"
The CPU started choking, then regained her composure, "Where do you get the idea I want to do that?! You make it seem as though I want him in here so I can screw him! Just send him in."
Neptune reluctantly complied. A few moments after she left the room, Ran walked in, "… You requested to see me?"
"…That's right. I hoped I'm not taking up your time, Ran." Though he can't see her face, his eyes focused on the goddess' bed.
"No. Though I am curious as to why the goddess of Lowee wishes to speak to me." Ran said.
"Oh? You are curious as to why I asked you to come in?" Lady White Heart asked.
"I'm surprised you called me in here just to talk, even though I'm not from this land. You are the goddess that protects and rules this landmass, so you cannot be expected to remember the names of every person that enters or leave Lowee when you have more important task to accomplish. You have some personal purpose for me to come here."
"Yes, I do need something from you. I understand that you are a very capable individual, so I have a… personal favor to ask of you." White Heart said, "I like to write in my free time, but the pencils I use tend to break short after I use them."
A slip of paper slipped through a small opening in the drapes and landed on the ground at Ran's feet, "There is a dungeon that contains a very rare mineral ore. This ore can be made into very high quality pencils that are strong and unlikely to break."
"You want me to gain some of this ore for you?" Ran asked.
White Heart nodded her head, "… That's correct. I realize this is a rather tedious request. I will have your reward by the time you return."
Hmm… this may be a good idea, but I should let Azuya know this. It could give us more information about Lowee and the Key Fragment…
"Very well…" Ran said.
Ran turned to leave the room, leaving the goddess alone in her thoughts, "…He does look quite reliable. He also has the same ability as her, but he may make it difficult to get rid of Neptune."
(In town)
"Isn't this great? A BIG bowl ramen that I get to have free re-fills on!" Neptune said happily as she eating noodle.
"I think we may not have to start worrying about Nep eating through all of our money with deals like this." IF said.
Azuya and IF noticed Ran was reading an article with Kabuto Zecter. Azuya become curious before getting his childhood friend's attention.
"Ran, what are you reading?" Azuya asked.
"I'm looking for a special ore in making pencil." Ran said.
IF folded her arms, "Lowee is abundant with the mineral ore, the problem is that there are a lot of monsters around the veins that the ore can be harvested. Why are you looking for it anyway?"
"…No particular reason." Ran said.
"Are you sure?" Azuya asked.
"Hey Ran-kun… why don't you come eat with us?" Neptune asked.
Ran stood up before looking at the party, "I have an errand to take care of. Let's go, aibou,"
"Right," Kabuto Zecter said.
He and Kabuto Zecter turned and left towards the restaurant doors. IF looked at the money he left on the table for their lunches before looking at Azuya.
"Hey do you notice Ran acting a little strange?" IF asked.
"You're right…" Azuya said. "Ran is up to something."
Neptune looked up from her ramen bowl before looking the door.
"Do you think we should follow him in secret?" Neptune asked.
"Isn't it kinda of rude spying on Ran-kun?" Compa asked.
"As long as he doesn't get himself into trouble but we should eat first." Neptune said.
Ran was walk through the snowy forest by himself with Kabuto Zecter accompanying him in the air. But it wasn't until he heard a crunch sound from afar and coming much closer.
"It looks like we have company…" Ran said.
Ran hide behind a tree before he making a snowball. He heard the footsteps are getting closer.
Ran got out the snowball and ready to throw it at his pursuer, "Who are yo-"
He paused in his question when he collapsed on top of Rika, whose face turned redden, "W-What is the big idea, Ran?!"
"What are you doing here?"
"I WAS about to asking you the same thing?!"
Ran stood up and looked away from Rika. "Sorry… I thought you were someone else."
"What are you doing out here, Ran? Should you be with your party?" Rika asked curious.
Ran soon spotted a dungeon like the one on White Heart's direction, "I have a mission to do."
"I have a mission as well… located spotted Worms in this area," Rika explained. This caught Ran's attention.
"What?" Ran felt his shoulders tensed.
"I'm here to retrieve an ore for someone." Ran said.
"Wait, Ran!"
Ran looked back at Rika, "What is it?"
"I didn't come here to see you off! But d-do you think we can work together?" Rika asked.
"I guess I won't mind at all," Ran replied with a small smile. "But if anything bad happened, I want you to get help."
"Alright."
Both Ran and Rika ventured into the dungeon. But they encounter some weaker monsters.
"Henshin."
Drake readied her gun and fired at them. She has been practicing with her weapon in order to survive in this world. The Berserker Rabbits are stuck by the bullets before sending to the wall.
"What do you think?" Drake asked. "I have been practicing lately…"
But she was unaware of a third Berserker Rabbit coming from her behind, attempted to ambush her. A bullet smack through the rabbit's head as Neo Kabuto emerged from the shadow with his kunai gun.
"Hmm… thank," Drake answered.
"Let's get moving now…" Neo Kabuto said.
As the two riders continued moving further into the dungeon. Neo Kabuto looked around and tries to see any sight of movement.
Why aren't there anymore Monsters around…? Drake thought.
"Hey Ran?" Drake asked.
"What is it?" Neo Kabuto looked at his friend.
"I'm curious but what do you think of Neptune?" Drake inquired about the purple bubbly preteen.
"Well, she is a little annoyed at first… she isn't what you expected from a goddess falling from the heaven." Neo Kabuto replied. This caught Drake's interesting in her friend.
"Is that so? You don't usually hang around people who annoyed you..." Drake remarked.
Before Neo Kabuto could respond, they spotted a glow rock near a frozen pond, "Is that what you're looking for?"
"Hmm… something isn't right here," Neo Kabuto said.
"What are you talking about? This must be one of the luckiest dungeons I encounter so far…" Drake said. She ran forward to examine the vein of ore but Neo Kabuto still can't help feeling something is wrong here.
"Rika! Get away from there!" Neo Kabuto shouted.
Drake paused when she hears Neo Kabuto's voice before she sensed something in front of them right now. Just then three Salis Worms were dropped from above the cave wall and form in front of her. Drake was surprised by their appearance in front of her.
"Worms!? Where did they come from?" Drake asked.
"This must be a nest," Neo Kabuto said, firing his gun up in the air.
He and Drake looked up to see a large nest of greenish eggs on the cave wall. There weren't just any eggs but Worms.
"There are so many…" Drake said.
Neo Kabuto grabbed his kunai gun before firing at the Worms in front of Drake. But he was unaware of an unseen forced moving toward him and Drake as they got knocked by a powerful force to the wall.
By the time Neo Kabuto regained his senses, he was pinned to the wall by another Worm. This Worm has black and blue skin with sharp claw for one hand. This is the Epilachna Worm.
"Ran!" Drake got up and trying to reach for her friend. But more Worms emerged from the eggs and prevent her from reaching him.
"Cast Off!" Drake shouts.
"CAST OFF!"
"CHANGE DRAGONFLY!"
Drake started to firing like a maniac against the Worms coming around her. But more Worms keep hatching from the Eggs and couldn't get a good chance to use her Clock Up.
Neo Kabuto struggled with the weight of the Epilachna Worm over him. He tried to kick the Worm off of him before finding more Salis Worms emerged came to aid the Epilachna Worm.
They came and tackled Neo Kabuto before he could reach for activated his Cast Off.
I have to do something! She can't handle all of these Worms by herself! Neo Kabuto thought.
"Be patience, help is on its way." A calm voice said in Neo Kabuto's mind for him to hear.
Suddenly a red glowing light emerged near their presence and it crushed into the Epilachna Worm. Neo Kabuto looks awe at the thing in front of him.
No way… Neo Kabuto thought.
It a vehicle with the front styled after a red rhinoceros beetle. This is the Kabuto Extender.
Neo Kabuto grabbed his Kunai gun before firing at the Worms and got on the Kabuto Extender. He has little experience in riding motorcycle, but there is no time to debate about inexperience.
"Cast Off!" Neo Kabuto shouted.
"CAST OFF!"
His armors flying off, the Worms were scatter.
"CHANGE BEETLE!"
Neo Kabuto's visor light up after the horn attached to his helmet. The Kabuto Extender made some changed as well. The front of the bike popped off as the front wheel split into two and spread apart. Then a giant spear-like weapon came sticking out the front of the motorcycle.
"Hang on, Rika!" Neo Kabuto pulled the throttle. He drove pass Worms and knocked them away from Drake who looked surprised.
"Where did you-" Kabuto delivered several slashes at Salis Worm from behind with his Kunai Axe.
"Get on." Neo Kabuto injected.
Drake got on the back seat as they drove passes some of the Worms and caused them to explode. They fired at many Worms before more coming down to replaced their fallen kinsmen.
"We need to do something about the Worms!" Drake said.
"Rika, do you think you can aim the nest?" Neo Kabuto asked.
"I'll try but I need you to get me up higher." Drake said.
"You guys looking like you have fun," a voice said.
Neo Kabuto and Drake turned to see IF, Azuya, Compa, and Neptune emerged from the shadow as they came in.
"Sasword and Gatack turned haywire when they detected a massive reading of Worms coming from here; we thought to come and checked it out." IF explained.
"Whoa… I didn't expect there will be a lot of them here," Compa said.
"Cool…! Ran-kun, I didn't remembered you have an awesome bike!" Neptune said in awe, looking at the Kabuto Extender.
Azuya dodged a punch from the Worm before looking at Neo Kabuto.
"You guys handle the nest!" Azuya said.
Azuya grabbed Gatack Zecter in the air.
"Henshin!" Azuya said.
"HENSHIN!"
Blue hexagon surrounding him as he transformed into his Masked form.
IF delivered a round house kick before getting out her sword.
"Let's get this done…" IF said.
"STANDBY!"
Sasword Zecter emerged from the ground and jumped into IF's hand.
"Henshin!" IF said.
"HENSHIN!"
"Cast Off!" Neo Gatack and Sasword shout in unison.
"CAST OFF!"
"CHANGE STAG BEETLE/ SCORPION!"
Their armor scattered and their riders form shown. Neo Gatack and Sasword charged into battle with the Worms.
"We will help too." Compa said, taking out her syringe.
"I wonder how much experience points if we beating them up," Neptune said curious. This caused Sasword and Neo Gatack to sweatdropped when they heard this.
"This isn't a game, Neptune!" Sasword and Neo Gatack said at the same time.
Neo Kabuto then hits his Clock Up button and Drake did it at the same time.
"CLOCK UP!"
(In Clock Up)
Neo Kabuto drove the Kabuto Extender up to the cave wall. There several Worms attempted to stop them, but they failed when Neo Kabuto slashed each of them. As they drove closer to the nest, Drake focused her aiming carefully before she pulled the trigger.
"Rider shooting…" Drake said, fired her gun. She lets out a blue orb of energy out on the Worm nest.
"RIDER SHOOTING!"
She then pulled the trigger again.
"RIDER SHOOTING!"
Another blue orb makes contact with another section of the Worm nest before they created some chain explosions.
The bike landed on the ground.
"CLOCK OVER!"
(Clock Over)
Meanwhile their friends were finishing off the last of the Worms. Neo Gatack slashed several Worms alongside with Sasword. Compa give long-range support for Neptune.
"Let's finished this." Sasword said. Neo Gatack nodded.
"I want to try this move… I thought up," Neo Gatack said before pushing his buttons.
"One. Two. Three."
"Rider Slash!"
"Rider Slice…!"
Gatack's blades are cracking with electric energy while Sasword's sword leaking posion in the air. The two Riders charged forwards and unleashed their finishers on the group of Worms before they exploded.
The Kabuto Extender returned back to normal before Neo Kabuto got off the bike, he picked up the ore.
"All this trouble for an ore?" Sasword asked.
Neo Kabuto turned to looks at his friends, "Sorry about getting you guys involved. This mission was important."
Neptune approached him with a kind smile, "It's alright, Ran-kun. Beside I will forgive you if you give me a ride on this cool bike."
"It's my fault for not warning you guys about this place." Drake said.
His childhood friend crossed his arms as he studied the Kabuto Extender, "But how did something like this get here? I don't recall either of us bring mini mode of our Rider machines here."
"That is a big mystery," Compa said.
(White Heart's chamber)
After stating his business, Financier allowed Ran into the CPU's room. Ran entered White Heart's chamber room with the ore in his arm. The preteen goddess slipped a bookmark to hold her place in the book.
"I had a feeling you would come back today. I take it you have what I requested?" White Heart asked.
"I got the ore as you requested." Ran replied.
"You can just leave it there." Lady White Heart pointed to a small table near one of the glass panels that made up the walls surrounding the room. When Ran placed the requested mineral on the table, Lowee CPU continued, "…As for your reward. I couldn't think of anything to give you, so you may ask any one request of me."
What should I asks for? Could I ask her either the location of Key Fragment or a way to restore Neptune's memory…? Ran thought.
"If you don't know what to ask for, you may leave and come back when you have figure out what you want. There's no expiration date on it, so you may come by and make your request whenever you feel like it. I may need you to do some favors for me in the future, just so you know." White Heart said.
Ran decided to save it until he figured out his answer. He turned to leave the room.
"Wait!" White Heart stopped him.
"What is it?" Ran asked.
"It's a rather odd question, but what do you think of the term Goddess?" White Heart asked.
Ran looks surprised at the question. But he thought back to Neptune and other girls.
"It could mean anything… but I would imagine a Goddess is a beautiful young woman." Ran replied, "But Obaa-chan says, 'All girls are equally beautiful.'"
When the door closed behind him, Lady White Heart stepped out from behind the curtain that had concealed her form with eyes of curiosity, "This mortal seem interesting to observed..."
(Location unknown)
Ketaro emerged from the gray mirror as he arrived at his new location. He heard footsteps and turned around to see a black hooded man walk toward him.
"How did it go on your search for Histoire?" The black hooded man asked.
Ketaro frowned, "Our forces still searching but we believed Arfoire is the one who sealed her away. However, dealing with a former Goddess is a problem when she won't reveal her secret."
"I see…" the black hooded man said.
"But I assured you, we will get her cough out the location, my lord." Ketaros said, before bowing. The hooded man remained silent before reply.
"Make you sure you complete your mission."
To be continued…
AN: That is the end of this chapter. I introduced the Kabuto Extender into the fic while Ketaros and Caucasus seeking the same thing. I know Gatack have no ability to use Rider Slice, but I thought it was strange they never give Kagami another move beside Rider Kick and Rider Cutting.
Read and Review!