A/N: Just to clear some things up:

"Ore sanjou!"= human speech

*Ore sanjou!*= telepathic human speech.

*Ore sanjou!*= telepathic imagin speech (italicized)

"Ore sanjou!"= imagin speech (italicized)

"Ore sanjou!"= possessed human speech

"Ore sanjou!"= Terminal Belt speech

Now enjoy the read.

Chapter 14: Lothar The Techno Warrior

"Did he come out yet?"

"No, now stop asking!" Hana whispered harshly. "If you keep making so much noise, we're going to get found out!"

After escaping the students of the dojo, Hana and Eddy (mostly Hana) decided that protecting the last target of the imagin was worth the risk of being caught again.

They waited half an hour before sneaking back to the dojo and staking out in a pair of bushes.

"At least then we'll be doing sumthin' instead of lying in these stupid plants all day," Eddy griped as he picked a random twig out of his hair. "These leaves are givin' me some sorta rash!"

Hana ducked back down into her bush when the sound of footsteps came close by. "Then find a way to entertain yourself already. My gosh, you're so immature!"

Eddy didn't respond back. That seemed to have done the trick.

"Finally," Hana sighed, "I can enjoy a little-"

"Oh, I know a song that gets on everybody's nerves!"

Searching the ground, Hana found a decent-sized pebble and chucked it at Eddy's bush. A satisfied smile spread across her face when she was rewarded with a loud thump and a yelp of pain.

"Now who's immature?" Eddy shot up from his bush, nursing an impressive lump on the side of his head. "Geez, you could've just told me to stop, ya know," groaned Eddy.

"No, I think my way worked just fine." Hana gloated. Now get back down and keep quiet."

Eddy glared in Hana's direction before lowering himself back into the bush. Crossing his arms, he settled for grumbling under his breath about how he always ended up in the worst of circumstances, and how Double D and Ed were having a better time than he was.

--..--

*This is the second worst experience I've had, ever!* Double D cried.

His body took another strike from the flat of the Goat Imagin's axe, sending it flying into a tree trunk. Both he and Urataros yelped in pain.

"Second? We're being assaulted by a six foot goat monster; what could possibly be worse than this?!"

*The dodgeball incident.*

Before Urataros could inquire further, he was hoisted up and slammed back into the ground. When he tried to get up, he discovered the Goat Imagin's meaty hoof-like hand pinning him down by the throat. To make things worse, his rod-harpoon lay just out of arms length.

"My strength has made you cry," The Goat Imagin triumphantly declared. "Masked Riders are said to be combatants of incredible skill... but this battle was simple."With his free hand, he raised his axe into the air and prepared to deal the final blow. "But, you still fought honorably and earned a warrior's death."

"Double D!"

Ed tackled the Goat Imagin from the side with all his might, managing to knock the creature off balance and force it to release Double D/Urataros from his grip.

Not hesitating, Urataros sprung back onto his feet and grabbed up his weapon before launching himself at the stumbling Goat Imagin's legs. He swung out with his rod-harpoon in a wide arc and succeeded in smacking both the goat's ankles, sending it tumbling down like a falling tree.

Goat Imagin collided with the ground and made a reverberating whump. Even with his sturdy build, the goat found himself dazed by the fall.

With his weapon casually resting on his shoulder's Urataros strolled over to the Goat Imagin's sprawled form and placed a boot firmly onto his chest.

"It looks as if the hook is on my line now, wouldn't you say? I'll admit you gave me a bit of trouble in the beginning, but I knew I'd win in the end."

The Goat Imagin was able to clear his head enough to speak back. "You should not be so prideful," he scolded. "The only reason you are still alive is because of your friend." He rolled his head over in Ed's direction and gave an impressed smile. "It seems your strength can bring people to tears as well. Well done, boy."

"I did a critical blow!" Ed proudly exclaimed. He struck what he imagined to be a victory pose.

"I would've gotten free eventually," Urataros dismissed. "Anyways…" He swung his weapon around and brought the point of the harpoon to rest on the Goat Imagin's throat. "I'm afraid I'll have to turn you back to a pile of sand. Can't have you destroying this world's timeline, can we?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"You know exactly what I mean," Urataros stated unsympathetically. "It's not that I care about this world or anything, but my host was pretty upset about you breaking into those homes and doing harm to those other kids. Even I found that in bad taste."

The Goat Imagin stared back in puzzlement. "The only child I've ever attempted to harm is you. To attack anyone who is not a warrior is simply not honorable."

*Lying even up to this point," Double D sniffed. *How gullible does he believe us to be?*

"... No something is wrong here." Urataros relented. He pulled back just a bit. "I can tell a lie when I hear one, and this fellow doesn't seem to be lying."

"My host wished to be stronger. Such a pure and simple wish is something I can relate to." The Goat Imagin revealed. "By possessing him, I can push his body past its limits and fulfill his desire. Destroying this world and its timeline will never be as important to me as my host's wish."

Urataros removed his weapon and fixed the Goat Imagin with a confused look from behind the Rod Form mask. "This makes no sense. If you aren't the culprit then who is?"

"That, I am unsure of," answered the Goat Imagin. "Perhaps another Imagin is to blame? But as of now, that is unimportant. A battle does not end until your opponent is unable to fight anymore. You should do a better job of not keeping yourself open."

In a sudden movement, the Goat Imagin lifted himself up and by doing so, tossed Urataros away. The tide of the fight quickly returned to its former stage, with Urataros off footing and desperately defending himself, and the Goat Imagin trying to cleave him in half.

*Oh no, the situation has taken a drastic change," Double D avowed in alarm. *Do you know what this means?*

Urataros barely ducked underneath an axe swipe. "I'm a little busy right now! Why don't you just tell me?!"

*This means the real threat is still running around! We have to tell Eddy and Hana!*

--..--

"Is it three?"

"Nope."

"Seven?"

"Nope."

"Four-hundred and five?"

"Nope."

"You know what, I quit!" Hana exclaimed. "This game is stupid! How can anyone choose a number between one and ten thousand?"

"Then I guess I'm singing Numa Numa again," Eddy threatened.

"… Is it fifty?"

"Nope."

*Is it 'shut your pie hole and listen up'?* Momotaros snapped mentally.

"What the heck do you want, Momotaros?" Eddy asked aloud.

Hana perked up. "Momotaros is talking to you? Ask him how Ed and Double D are doing."

"Don't need to." Eddy held his hand up to show he was preoccupied. "He's trying to tell me right now."

Hana watched in curiosity as Eddy gazed off into space and nodded to whatever was being spoken directly into his head. She was beginning to assume nothing of real importance was being shared until she witnessed Eddy go wide-eyed.

"What, what did he say?" Hana pushed.

Eddy turned to her nervously and answered, "Long story short, things suck for us right now."

"More detail please."

"Well it's like this; Double D and Urataros are duking it out with the imagin that possessed Rolf…. They're losin' big time."

"Then what are we standing around here for?!" Hana sprung out of her bush and yanked Eddy out of his hiding place as well. "We have to go help them! Come on!"

"Whoa, hold on a sec," Eddy wrenched his arm loose from Hana's grip. "It gets worse. Turns out we've been chasing the wrong guy. The imagin that's been rampaging around town is still out there."

"But, if it's not the imagin Double D and Urataros are fighting, who is it?"

A large hole exploded out of the side of the dojo's wall.

All the kids inside scattered out the front and back doors in a rushed panic as a large, shadowed creature emerged from the cloud of rubble.

Eddy and Hana could only gawk as what looked like a bipedal Rhino dressed like a feudal era samurai ready for war stampeded into the open. Slung over one of its massive shoulders was the unconscious form of Michael Kikuchi.

"…I think maybe that was the imagin," Eddy stated.

"Quick, call the DenLiner," Hana ordered. "We have to follow that thing!"

Eddy pulled out the Rider Pass and jammed in the white button. "Already on it!"

A swirling vortex opened up in the sky above, and out came the DenLiner. It swept down past the two before rising back in the sky and giving chase after the rhino creature.

Hana and Eddy were nowhere to be seen.

--..--

Much to Double D's chagrin, Urataros was forced into dragging the fight into the middle of the park for all to see. People would at first rush to distance themselves in fear of danger, but as the fight continued, many were finding the courage to act as spectators to the bout.

Double D cringed inside from all the attention, but Urataros seemed to be making the most of it. He put extra effort into making a show of all of his moves. He parried, dodged, side-stepped, and lashed out with as much style as Double D's beaten body could muster. If he was far enough from the Goat Imagin, he stopped in order to bow to applause.

*May I remind you that our lives are on the line?* Double D testily remarked as Urataros nearly lost a hand trying to pick a flower.

"But Eddward, we mustn't disappoint." He tossed the flower to a girl in the crowd and waved. "Besides, if we keep the people entertained, they won't panic. The last thing we need is a screaming crowd getting in the way."

*I suppose…*

Though Urataros was being optimistic, it didn't escape his mind that he was fighting a losing battle. His strategy was to wear the Goat Imagin out, but that that didn't seem to be working. The Turtle Imagin's opponent clearly dwarfed him in terms of strength and experience, not to mention height.

The only thing keeping Den-O's Rod Form alive was Ed. Though he was unable to combat the Goat Imagin directly, Ed refused to sit idly by. He would toss garbage cans, rocks, and anything not bolted to the ground (sometimes) at the goat creature whenever he saw an opening. The damage he dealt was miniscule, but it did the job of slowing down the other opponent, if just a bit.

"Here goes my Super Exploding Spartan Burning Attack!" Ed yelled at the top of his lungs. People cleared the way as the boy charged forward with a goodly-sized rock raised over his head.

Urataros saw him coming and dove to the side to give Ed a clear shot. "Have at it, much obliged."

Ed reeled back before chucking his mini-boulder. It soared high through the air with a dull whiz as it made its way towards the Goat Imagin.

"Very impressive for a human." The Goat Imagin put his axe away in his belt and took a bracing stance. "But there is still a large difference of ranking between our strength, boy." He cracked his neck with one hand while balling the other one into a fist. He pulled back an arm and...

"There is no possible way he's going to-."

CRUNCH

The crowd dispersed as a shower of pebbles came down. Those that would have gone back chose not to after the awesome display of might. They instead chose to witness the rest of the battle from far away.

"Well... I believe it safe to say that we are screwed," Urataros concluded.

*Oh my… imminent death.*

"Now…" The Goat Imagin pulled his axe back out and made his way over towards Urataros/Double D. "This will be the end."

*This isn't good. I don't think we have the proper ability to deal with an adversary of such intensity.*

The Goat Imagin readied one final rush before stopping without prompt. Some unseen force pulled his attention back towards the forest. "This presence… another imagin approaches this way."

Urataros was willing to go along, if only to delay the inevitable. "Now that you mention it, I feel it as well." He turned in the same direction and concentrated. What he discerned didn't make the current situation any better. "Whoever is coming this way does not seem too friendly."

*May chance our true target?* Double D queried. *I propose we leave our current skirmish post haste in lieu for this new arrival."

"I whole heartedly agree. The likely result of finishing things here isn't too appealing…"

Gripping his rod-harpoon, Urataros charged the Goat Imagin with all the speed he could muster.

The Goat Imagin reeled his axe back in anticipation for the young Masked Rider. All focus went towards the pace of his opponent's feet as he judged when to strike.

Urataros refused to slow down, even as he watched the Goat Imagin prepare to deliver a blow that would undoubtedly connect. In fact, the young turtle creature switched to a jousting position and increased speed.

"This is the end for you!" The Goat Imagin shouted. When the Masked Rider entered striking range, he brought his axe down.

"I don't think so!" Urataros jammed his rod-harpoon into the ground and used momentum to pole vault out of danger. He flew over the Goat Imagin's head and landed safely on the other side. Not wasting the opportunity, Urataros left his opponent to blink in his dust.

The Goat Imagin watched as the armored boy disappeared into the forest without a trace. That was all he could do, his hulking frame would never allow him to catch his adversary at such speeds.

"This hardly seems fair," he stated as he stroked his goatee. "I suddenly feel as if I should cry…"

--..--

"Woo hoo! Go, turtle dude!" Eddy cheered. "Did you see that?! We gotta rewind that part again!"

Hana, Eddy, and Momotaros watched their comrade's daring feat from aboard the DenLiner, courtesy of the large monitor screen connected to the Rod Form's helm camera.

"Eh, that wasn't so hot," Momotaros wrote off. He grabbed a handful from his bowl of popcorn and jammed it into his mouth. "Mmf, I could do that in my sleep."

"Yeah, sure ya could," Eddy stated disbelievingly. "I still can't believe you got your butt kicked by a goat. Figures somethin' like that would pop outta Rolf's head."

"First off, we both got our butts kicked. Second off; shut up."

Hana searched around for the intercom connected to the Den-O unit until locating it behind Naomi's counter. She flicked the 'on' switch and spoke with urgency. "Double D, Urataros, can you hear me? Eddy and I are on the DenLiner and we're chasing after the new imagin coming your way."

Eddy hopped out of his seat and ran over to talk as well. "And you guys better watch your backs too. This new freak is as big as the first one and twice as ugly. If ya get into trouble, just switch out."

"Ooh, this is so exciting!" Naomi squealed gleefully. With a camera, she stood by a window and snapped pictures of the Rhino Imagin running below the train "It's like we're on safari!"

--..--

"We understand, though I doubt we'll need to rely on the peach's help." Urataros communicated back.

*So it seems we'll be facing another bruiser of an enemy,* said Double D. *Are you sure we can handle this, Urataros?*

Urataros casually noted Rolf's still-unconscious body as he ran by it. "Of course we can. You just focus on keeping this body of yours from giving out. I'll deal with the battle ahead."

In silence the two continued on, dashing forth to meet their new foe head on. As the menacing presence of the enemy imagin drew nearer, Urataros and Double D began to warily notice just how exhausted they were. Both could feel the damage dealt by the Goat Imagin slowly take its toll on the smartest of the Eds's body.

They both knew that their current condition could not endure much more. Still they went forth without protest.

Urataros lost track of how long he'd been running; his only means of tracking time was the count of how many rocks and streams he was forced to jump over. However long it was, it had been long enough. He could hear the DenLiner zipping through the air as it drew closer.

It was accompanied by the sound of trees cracking under the force of something big and heavy.

*I believe we've found our target,* Double D stated soberly. *And they sound to be of considerable magnitude.*

Urataros had to leap back as the trees in front of him fell to the sides. The imagin revealed himself. Any confidence the turtle had were sapped away by the sight he beheld.

Before Den-O's Rod Form was a monster of intimidating proportions. The Rhino Imagin's broad shoulders bore a set of armor that looked to be carved from rough stone. The same could be said about the mace in his hands. Instead of one horn, he possessed three equally sharp horns upon his snout. He was truly a nightmare personified.

The burning eyes of the Rhino Imagin fell upon the armored boy.

*Not good, not good, not good!* Double D panicked frantically. *We have absolutely no hopes of triumphing over this brute! We must retreat!*

"Get a hold of yourself, Eddward!" Urataros barked. "We have no choice. We're far too exhausted to escape."

"You are this world's Masked Rider," The Rhino Imagin surmised in a booming voice. "I will kill you first before I grant the wish of my host." He gestured to his left shoulder.

Due to being waylaid by the Rhino Imagin's appearance, Urataros had not at first noticed the crumpled form of a boy the creature was carrying. They seemed to be unharmed, just roughed up a bit. No visible wounds were present.

Urataros instinctively held his rod-harpoon up in defense. "Might I inquire what exactly that wish is?"

"To be the best wrestler around. Once I've killed the last of his rivals, his wish will come true and I will travel to the past to destroy this world." Brandishing his mace threateningly, the Rhino Imagin stamped forwards. But first I will rid this world of its last defense against imaginkind."

Urataros scurried to the side as the Rhino Imagin swung his mace downward. The blow missed, but its very impact threw Urataros from off his feet. He rolled away in panic before the second strike came.

With a savage snarl, the Rhino Imagin trampled forth after his prey. The Masked Rider was quick to get to his feet and away from the danger of the mace, but not quick enough to avoid the rhino's fist. The boy went soaring until…

"My strength will make you cry!"

"Just like my grandma's meatloaf!"

The Goat Imagin ran in from nowhere and caught Double D's body in mid flight. He gently put him back on the ground, along with Ed and Rolf.

"Thank you, I guess..." said Urataros unsurely. He picked back up his rod-harpoon just in case. "Might I ask why you decided to come in with that 'timely' rescue?"

"We never finished our fight," the Goat Imagin said, "A man does not leave things unfinished."

"And he gave me a ride," Ed stated happily. "I found Rolf too. He's sleeping, the little dickens."

The Rhino Imagin crashed into the small gathering while they were distracted, sending Ed and Rolf one way while Urataros and the Goat Imagin went another. Oddly enough, the Rhino Imagin turned its sights towards Rolf. An eager glimmer was in its eyes.

"Yes, I know this boy. This child is one of the rivals of my host." The Rhino Imagin tossed Ed away like a sack of potatoes and pressed his foot down on Rolf. "Now I will take this boy's life and fulfill my contract!"

"No!"

The Goat Imagin ran into the Rhino Imagin with a shoulder tackle followed by a palm strike to the chest. The blows pushed the rhino back, but didn't seem to penetrate his thick, stone armor.

"We're comrades, do not interfere!" The Rhino Imagin demanded angrily. "This boy must be made unable to challenge my host!"

"And the boy you are trying to kill is my host." The Goat Imagin stamped his foot down. "No harm shall come to him."

"Then you must die as well!" The Rhino Imagin charged in with his mace brandished.

The Goat Imagin blocked the hit with his axe and pushed the rhino backwards against a tree. "Do not lay a finger on my host!"

The Rhino pushed the goat from off him and stood his ground. The two eyed each other down before rushing in to engage in a duel of strength.

--..--

"What is this, a soap opera? Hurry up and kicked both their butts, ya stupid turtle!" Momotaros sent his popcorn flying everywhere as he jumped up and down.

"But this is all just so weird." Eddy scratched his head in confusion. "I can get over Michael Kikuchi being the host, but why the heck are the imagins trying to rip each other apart? They're on the same side!"

Naomi put a finger to her chin as she observed the fight. "Actually, it looks more like the rhino wants to kill the goat. The goat is trying to defend that blue-haired boy."

"That's impossible," Hana skeptically protested. "An imagin would never care about humans…"

--..--

"Get out of my way!"

"It's a hundred years to early for me to do that!"

Back and forth the Goat and Rhino Imagin would lash out. Neither could land a blow as axe met mace and vice versa, but the goat was slowly losing his ground. Rolf was just behind him, and he refused to put his host in harm's way.

*Is it okay for us to merely observe this struggle from the side lines?*

"I see no reason why not," said Urataros coldly. "Both have tried to kill us, so either dying is to our benefit."

*But still…*

"Watch out, goat guy!" Ed called out. "You're about too-"

But it was too late. With one hefty shove, the Rhino Imagin pushed the Goat Imagin off balance and then smashed his mace into his stomach.

The Goat Imagin allowed himself to be carried by the momentum of the hit so that he would not land on Rolf, but now no one stood between the Rhino Imagin and his host.

"This ends now!" The Rhino Imagin launched a vicious kick into Rolf's side, sending his still unconscious body into a stream.

The Goat Imagin immediately got up and went to tend to his host. He carefully picked Rolf up and checked him for any serious injuries. Amazingly enough, Rolf was unharmed and still knocked out.

"The boy is still unconscious?" The Rhino Imagin wondered in bewilderment. "It matters not. The human is clearly no threat to my host, which means the wish has been granted." The rhino dropped his host to the ground and stood back. "Contract complete."

From out of Michael Kikuchi's chest sprung a whirling, green vortex.

Urataros leapt in between the Rhino Imagin and his ticket to the past. "You're not going anywhere but a sandbox, you-!"

The Rhino Imagin punt kicked him in the chest. Urataros went flying over a low branch and head first into a rock.

"Hahahaha! Now if you excuse me, I have a job to d-."

"Not so fast!" The Goat Imagin shouted. He soared through the air and tackled the Rhino Imagin back and away from the portal.

"You fool, release me!" The Rhino Imagin grunted as he struggled to free himself from the goat's bear hug.

Ed ran over and did the only thing he could think of; kicking the Rhino Imagin whenever he could. "Take that and that, evil creature from the netherworld! Feel the sneakers of the Buttered Toast Ranger!"

The Rhino Imagin swatted Ed away and continued to wrestle with the goat.

"Boy, Ed was it?" The Goat Imagin called out.

"Yep, that's me alright," jovially declared Ed.

"Tell me; does my host look stronger to you?"

Ed had to give Rolf a good look before he could make his decision. "Uh… yes?"

"Than my contract is complete." The Goat Imagin tightened his grip on the Rhino Imagin and rolled them both into the portal.

"Wait for me, goat man!" Ed tried to jump into the portal as well, but was too late. The vortex disappeared back into Michael Kikuchi, and Ed landed face first on the ground.

Urataros dragged himself back to Michael Kikuchi and held the Time Card over his head. Slowly, a numerical date appeared on it along with a picture of the Rhino Imagin.

Rolling himself onto his back, Urataros let out a heavy sigh. "This is Urataros to the DenLiner," he communicated. "A pick up would be very much appreciated."

--..--

(In the past)

"Final match; Thomas Kikuchi against Morris Ramsey." The announcer blared over the horn speaker.

The bleachers on both sides of the gym exploded in cheers and shouts of encouragement as the two wrestlers entered the ring. With both schools at a neck-and-neck tie, the championship was riding on this one match.

Standing near one of the exits was a peculiar figure in a trench coat and floppy hat. He was oddly engrossed with a golden pocket watch.

The Lemon Brook and Peach Creek teams shouted for the utter defeat of their teammate's opponent, trading back and forth in a volley of insults and death threats. The coaches even lost themselves in the fervor, calling for their respective star wrestlers to "rip 'em apart."

"That's my son down there! That's my boy!" Mr. Kikuchi roared above the den of the crowd. He jumped up from his seat so that his voice would better travel down to the floor. "You can do it, Thomas! Make us proud!"

In any other circumstance, a middle-aged Asian man in Dockers, bouncing on his toes in public while yelling at the top of his lungs in a thick accent, would have been farfetched. Here at this moment, it was wholly acceptable. After all, it was his eldest son's time to shine.

Even Mrs. Kikuchi, who was considered to be the more level headed of the couple, was waving a sign that read 'Go Thomas' in bright orange puff paint with enthusiasm.

Though the parents of Thomas Kikuchi were thrilled about this glorious moment, the younger son was not. In truth, he seemed rather perturbed as he stuck his fingers in his ears to block out the people around him.

To Michael Kikuchi, this was nothing more than another annoying moment for his brother to steal the already miniscule attention that he himself received. Sure, a few people would tip their hats towards his proficiency in the martial arts, but it was always his older brother Thomas that got the applause. He was sick of it.

The angering thoughts running through his head were only helping to worsen the stomach ache that crept on him a few minutes ago. He had to sacrifice one of his hands from his ears so that he could nurse it.

"Dad, I don't feel so good," Michael stated sorely. He pulled at his father's sleeve to get his attention.

"Probably just that hotdog you ate," Mr. Kikuchi dismissed without giving Michael a second glance. "I always say not to trust American food."

Michael doubled over and pulled at his father's sleeve with more urgency. "No dad, I'm really feeling bad." He started to break out in a sweat.

Mrs. Kikuchi took notice of their son's condition and stopped her cheering at once. "Michael, what's wrong?" She questioned. Setting her sign aside, she knelt down and pressed a hand to his forehead. "My goodness, you're burning up!" She announced worriedly.

The front of Michael's shirt had become soaked by his profuse sweating. "I need to lie down…" He gritted his teeth in agony.

"Okay honey, let's get you home. Dear, I need the car keys."

With an irritable expression, Mr. Kikuchi rummaged through his pockets. "Agh, fine. But I think you're babying the boy."

A particularly sharp wave of pain shot through Michael and sent him to his knees. He felt as if his body were being ripped open from the inside, as if something struggled to break its way through his very flesh. The anguish of it all was beyond bearing.

Everyone all but forgot the championship winning match, and instead bore witness to the disturbing scene of a boy flailing wildly in pain while his parents could only watch in horror.

The medical help that was present for injured wrestlers were now making it their top priority to reach the afflicted child as fast as they could. People moved aside as two certified professionals made their way through Peach Creek's fans.

"We need to make sure he doesn't hurt himself," one of the medics stated. He cautiously grabbed a hold of Michael's feet and pinned them down.

A bone-chilling screech ripped from the Michael's throat just as the other medic managed to hold down his arms. What happened next was beyond explanation.

Both the medics and a few others, including Michael's parents, were blown away by waves of sand that suddenly began to spout from the boy's clothes like a geyser. People ran over each other to get away from the bizarre scene and the gallons of sand that threatened to overtake them. Peach Creek's bleachers emptied completely.

Rushing out of the ring, Thomas Kikuchi hopped onto the bleachers and fought against the gushing sand to reach his little brother. "Mike, hold on! I'm coming!" Thomas cried out. He lowered his head and scurried up the steps on all fours.

Some of the wrestlers of Peach Creek ran out to join Thomas, the ones who were close friends as well as teammates. They huddled together and formed a wall of resistance against the strange sand, giving the eldest of the Kikuchi brothers a chance to reach Michael.

Right when Thomas was close enough to grab Michael's hand, the sand began to squirm. The screaming crowd further distance themselves away as every single grain crawled towards each other like a colony of ants. It all rolled over the wrestlers and on to the gym floor, where it clustered together and started to squeal.

The squealing grew deeper and deeper in pitch until it sounded like grunting. Desiring to match the sound, the sand promptly tightened together to create the kinetic model of two large beings struggling with each other.

And then the sand came to life.

Pandemonium broke out among the people, and then the gym doors broke out from their frames. Peach Creek and Lemon Brook crowds alike stampeded as every man, woman, and child fled from the goat and rhino monsters engaged in their own wrestling match.

"Get off of me, you imbecile!" The Rhino Imagin broke a hand free from the Goat Imagin's grasp and scooped up a hand full of sand.

That sand turned into the rhino's mace, which then connected with the goat's head. The Goat Imagin was knocked senseless.

Snorting his nostrils in victory, the Rhino Imagin got to his feet and took in the chaos around him. "The fear, the panic, the potential… this is what I yearned for!"

Tightening his grip on his mace, the Rhino Imagin charged into the crowd. Those unfortunate enough to be in his way were trampled under his huge feet. Others felt the crushing force of his spiked mace. The taking of life and breaking of bones filled him with ecstasy.

He needed more.

The bodies of the humans were like tissue paper as the Rhino Imagin tore his way through them to reach one of the gym's support beams. He took his mace in both hands and began to smash away.

With each beam reduced to nothing, the gym would shake and sway a little more. Soon the entire building was on its last legs as the roof began to fall onto those still trying to run from the carnage.

That's when the sound of a bullet train's horn sounded. It was so close that the gym's remaining windows shook. Then there was the sound of a motorcycle engine.

The very center pane on the home side of the gym exploded into shards as a black and white motorcycle shot through it.

Thomas Kikuchi, who refused to leave his unconscious little brother behind, watched in awe as the vehicle landed on the bleachers and maneuvered around him and his brother with ease.

Its rider was a figure in blue armor. Their face was hidden behind a helmet with a blue mask.

"You!" The Rhino Imagin roared. He left the final beam intact and made his way over to the mask wearing rider. "You followed me all the way here?!"

"Naturally," Urataros coolly replied. "It is my job after all. Speaking of which, mind if I sting you along?"

"I'll kill you and then continue destroying this world!" The Rhino Imagin threw his mace at the armored boy.

Urataros hopped off the DenBird and hid behind it, bracing himself for impact.

The mace bounced right off of the motorcycle and back into the rhino's hand. He started winding his arm up for another throw.

"My my, I'm too tired to do much else, I'm afraid." Urataros pressed the blue button on the Terminal Belt. The scanner, in response, began blinking in a blue light. "I guess I'll leave things to the red one."

--..--

Eddy felt a sensation coming from his Rider Pass and pulled it out. The 'D' in the center was blinking red. "Alright, time to rock out loud!"

"And we'll try to help anyway we can," Hana stated resolutely. "Come on, Ed!" Hana threw the boxcar door open and ran out.

Ed chased after her, but didn't leave before throwing two thumbs up to his shorter friend. "Bye, Eddy! Don't forget to yell 'henshin' really really loud!"

"Yeah, just watch yourself out there, lumpy." Eddy waved goodbye as his eccentric friend dashed off. "You ready to do this, Momotaros?"

"You kiddin' me? I live for this kind of action!" Momotaros declared. "Punch it, Eddy!"

"Henshin a go-go, baby!"

--..--

"Switch Out; Sword Form."

Den-O's Rod Form was engulfed in a blue light, which quickly shifted into a red one. When it dimmed away, the Sword Form of Den-O stood in his place. His stance exuded cockiness.

"I finally appear!"

"Another Masked Rider?! I'll make you exit right away!" The Rhino Imagin hurled his mace once again.

Momotaros hurriedly reconnected all four DenGashers into his signature sword and deflected the hit. He charged the Rhino Imagin. "Go go go!"

Hana and Ed pushed past the throngs of panicking citizens to enter the now empty gymnasium. Their immediate goal was to get the Kikuchi brothers away from the battle as fast as they could.

"Never fear, the Ed Patrol is here!" Ed announced loudly as he led the rush to the bleachers. "You're gravy will live to see another day!"

Hearing Ed shout, the Rhino Imagin turned his attention to him. He knocked Momotaros away long enough to hurl his mace at the ceiling above the Kikuchi brothers.

"No!" Hana shouted. She and Ed sprinted to try and reach the brothers in time.

They were too late. The mace impacted the ceiling and brought down a large chunk of metal and concrete. Thomas and Michael would never get away in time.

Without warning, the Goat Imagin burst from underneath the bleachers and caught the falling debris before it crushed the two boys. He commanded them to "Run now!"

Thomas didn't need to be told twice. He picked his little brother up and dove off the bleachers, dashing off to safety as soon as his feet hit the ground.

"What are you doing?!" Enraged, the Rhino Imagin picked up a chunk of already fallen rubble and hurled it at the Goat Imagin.

The collision was enough to make the Goat Imagin lose his grip on the debris he still held above his head. It all came tumbling down, crushing him and the bleachers.

"You bastard!" Momotaros shouted infuriated. He rushed back in and slashed wildly. "Using a dirty attack like that!"

All Momotaros accomplished was creating a shower of sparks as metal scraped against stone. The Rhino Imagin pushed the short, armored boy back and went on the offensive.

"Goat man, nooo!" Ed ran into what was left of the bleachers and started throwing the rubble aside as fast as he could. "Stay awake! Take deep breaths! How many fingers am I holding up?"

Hana joined Ed, but not as fast. She was more confused than concerned. "Why… why did he do that?"

Just as Ed was struggling with a large piece of wood, it was lifted into the air and tossed aside. Underneath it was the Goat Imagin, who used the remainder of his strength to remove that one piece of debris from his upper body.

The rest of him was breaking up into sand. Fast.

"Tell me, boy… are the children okay?" The Goat Imagin pleaded weakly. His eyes showed nothing but concern for the well-being of the two brothers.

Ed's lower lip was quivering too much for him to answer, so Hana did it instead. "Yes, they're fine," She quietly answered. She knelt down closer to the goat's side. "But… why did you save them?"

Even in his current state, the Goat Imagin could only stare in puzzlement. "They were in danger. Why would I not help them?"

Hana's face twisted into pained frustration. "But you're an imagin! You're not supposed to help humans!" She felt a lump growing in her throat. "Now you're going to disappear!"

The Goat Imagin simply shrugged as best he could. "It can't be helped." He lay back with a content smile.

Though preoccupied with blocking the mighty swings of the Rhino Imagin's mace, Momotaros and Eddy could hear the entire conversation.

*I guess that big guy wasn't so bad…" Eddy concluded morosely. *…I know he's the enemy and all that, but ain't there something we can do?*

Momotaros took a glancing blow to the side that knocked the wind out of him. "Idiot! We ain't got time to focus on that!

"Take this!" The Rhino Imagin struck out once again, this time making Momotaros skid back with the force of his strike.

"Wait," Ed begged with tears welling in his eyes, "you can't just disappear!"

"Do not ask the impossible, boy." The Goat Imagin coughed out. "My death should not upset you. I am still an imagin."

Hana placed a comforting hand on Ed's shoulder. "He's right, Ed. This is… for the best," she stated grimly. "Its better that all imagins disappear."

Momotaros flinched at those words.

"No!" Ed angrily pushed Hana away. He was so upset that he put more strength into the push then he intended too. "That's not better! He helped us! He's a good guy!"

"Nothing is keeping me bound to this world, boy." The Goat Imagin whispered hoarsely. "I do not even have a host."

"Then possess me!" Ed volunteered.

*What!?*

"What?!"

"What?!" Hana exclaimed.

--..--

Double D and Urataros, who were watching the fight from the train while indulging in some much needed coffee, simultaneously spewed out their drinks.

"Is he serious?!/Is he serious?!"

--..--

"Won't you be okay if you possess me?"

Momotaros slid in between the Rhino Imagin's legs. "What the heck are you saying, lumpy?! The DenLiner's already a full house!"

The Rhino Imagin tried crushing the armored boy underneath his feet. "What are you babbling about, child?!"

"But he won't try and destroy the world, honest!" Ed cried harder as more of the Goat Imagin disappeared. "He said he doesn't want to!"

Hana had skinned her knee from Ed's push and chose to keep away from him. "Ed, no…"

"Grahh, what a pain!" Momotaros climbed onto the Rhino Imagin's back and smacked it in the head with his sword. "Hey, goat! Either enter the burr-head, or disappear! Better hurry and decide!"

The Goat Imagin collapsed into sand.

*He's too late!*

Just when Ed began to bawl non-controllably, an orb of light floated out of the goat's remains and into Ed. It disappeared in a flash.

"Tingly," Ed stated simply.

The 'fallen' Goat Imagin spoke into Ed's head. *Hmm, I need a new form now. Are you okay about this choice, boy?*

Ed nodded his head vigorously with a huge smile. "Uh-huh. Maybe we can fight together too!"

*Let us start now then! I feel a strange energy coming from your right pocket.*

Ed too felt something strange that had not been there before, or at least he didn't think it was there before. His fingers swam through a sea of lint, balled papers, and wrappers until they brushed against an object with a unique feel. He pulled it out.

What he unearth brought everyone to a halt.

*No way," Eddy disavowed.

"You mean that dopey guy is a…" Momotaros trailed off.

"It can't be." Hana stated in shock.

"There's another one?!" The Rhino Imagin cried

"Cool, now I am Lothar the Techno Warrior!" Ed proclaimed in joy as he danced in a circle.

The tallest of the Eds held a Rider Pass for all to see.

A/N: That's right, Ed is a Singularity Point (not that you didn't guess that already). We're only a few chapters away until everyone's favorite dancing lizard enters the story.

Thank you and please review.