Kamen Rider Dragon Knight (c) Adness Entertainment / Toei / Ishimori Production. Puella Magi Madoka Magica (c) Magica Quartet / SHAFT / Aniplex / MBS.
Phase V: Dive into the Mirror
We all landed in an empty parking lot facing the seashore. Ventara. Afternoon. Fair skies.
This place was where I first encountered Kamen Rider Abyss – the source of all this mess.
Looking back at it now… even in this tangled web I've gotten into… I've gained more confidence in myself… confident enough to love someone who shared many things in common with me. A girl named Kyouko Sakura.
After we all recovered from the transportation, we all formally introduced ourselves. Eubulon and Madoka then explained everything – how Mayuri and Xaviax were connected, the inner workings of our spiritual link with the Descender and Kanonno, and how the two great forces of good forged an alliance to revive Sayaka and inform Len and Kase of the whereabouts of Xaviax's last commander… and to restore the shattered relationship between me and Kyouko. No details were left untouched.
The long-winded exposition ended, and I had to make a decision ever since Mayuri's defeat.
"Master Eubulon, I have a favor to ask of you."
"What is it that you want, Kit?"
"Now that all of Xaviax's remnants have been eliminated, and you and Madoka assure us to be so… I now decide… to retire as Kamen Rider Dragon Knight."
Naturally, everyone was surprised by my decision. Especially Len.
"Kit… why?"
I let out a huge sigh before stating the details.
"I only became a Kamen Rider due to the whispers made by my father – searching for and making a contract with the dragon in particular – though they were revealed later to be Xaviax's elaborate deception. And then, I realized how complex a Rider's life can be – getting involved in battles against other Riders and several monsters, with the implied risk of getting vented. Furthermore, there are many reasons why people want to become superheroes, Kamen Riders and Puella Magi included. But besides those whispers, I had no other real reason to be a Rider. And somehow, in the process of being a Rider, I became stronger on the outside and on the inside. Now that the universe is starting to become more peaceful, I need to live a normal life. And when I met Kyouko, my will to live normally as a human who is capable of loving someone has been magnified. I've had a messy life before, and I need to fix it before it's too late."
Eubulon just nodded after hearing my explanation. He then responded, "If it's your own decision, then no one will stop you. You, after all, are the captain of your own destiny."
I then handed over the Advent Deck to him, formally ending my tenure as a Kamen Rider.
Eubulon and I just smiled briefly after my voluntary abdication.
A calm silence followed, and Kyouko spoke out.
"Madoka… after knowing Kit's decision to retire, I will follow suit. I will give up being a Puella Magi."
The pink-haired goddess smiled brightly as she gracefully heard out Kyouko's reasoning.
"Everyone, don't say that I was just following Kit. I've thought of this decision myself deeply. When I was young, I appreciated stories where love and courage prevail. The TV show that eventually gave birth to Kit and his ilk was one of them. But then, that idealism wore off when my father, a preacher, deviated from established religious doctrine – and thus lost his followers. I only wanted to become a Puella Magi just to fulfill my wish of getting my father's followers back – but when he found out what I did, he became insane and killed the rest of our family, and then he killed himself. That incident essentially shattered all traces of idealism in me – and compelled me to live a life of a delinquent. But then… the wheel of fate turned in an unusual direction, and thanks to the 'traitor game', I met Kit. He sympathized with what I've gone through… and eventually, I fell for him. I even had to hide my role as a traitor in that game just to open myself up more to him… and in the end… we were forcibly separated by death. But then, you, Eubulon, the Descender, and Kanonno came into the picture… and heard the cries coming from my heart, and of Kit. With your help, we were revived, given a fresh start in life, and even offered us help in eliminating the brains behind the traitor game and Xaviax's last remaining commander. Now that this chaotic blur is over… I can now live – with the love and courage I had before – and without regrets… by pledging all of me to the man who changed my life, Kit Taylor. I do not need superpowers anyway just to uphold that love and courage."
Madoka responded to Kyouko's decision. "I wholeheartedly accept your decision. Normally, slain Puella Magi go to a dimension wherein they will know no more suffering… but since you really pursued to live a normal life… I will let you live again as a normal human, doing what you do best: consummate love. Now… bring up your Soul Gem… and the renunciation will be complete."
The redhead did what Madoka commanded. The goddess clasped Kyouko's Soul Gem… and from it, Kyouko's very essence – her soul, which was originally harvested by Kyubey as a prerequisite for being a Puella Magi – was brought back to its rightful place, her body. The Soul Gem then magically turned into a ring in Kyouko's middle finger.
"Now, Kyouko Sakura… your life has started anew. It's your second life, so please… don't waste it."
"I will never waste it. As long as Kit is always by my side."
I then hugged Kyouko after the formal renunciation of our powers. We shed tears of joy, knowing that an old chapter of our lives has ended and a new one is about to start.
Sayaka, seeing our heartwarming scene, compelled her to announce something.
"Everyone… since Kit and Kyouko decided to retire their powers for good, I will take over their place."
"Whoa, Sayaka," Len and Kase were more surprised than ever.
The blue-haired girl continued, "I know that my wish was finally granted and my friend is fully healed, but I need to keep fighting for the peace of this universe we're in… without losing sight of it. It is miles and miles better than my old selfish wish – and I can still visit him anytime I desire. And so… I will help Len and Kase in their continuing struggles as Kamen Riders – even though I'm not formally one."
Eubulon replied, "I gladly accept your decision, Sayaka. Such is the way of the universal tradition of the changing of the guard – once the time is right, a person will retire his power and/or position and hand it over to the worthy one next in line, who must continue the legacy of the retiree with honor and grace. From now on, Sayaka Miki, even though you have no Advent Deck and you are not contracted to any Advent Beast – you are officially named a Kamen Rider."
Upon the Advent Master's acceptance, Sayaka happily hugged me and Kyouko – and offered me a handshake as a sign of being handed a great responsibility, even – and then hugged her future teammates, Len and Kase.
"Len… Kase…" I then called out. "I guess… this is goodbye for us. We've spent considerable time together… but there's also a time that we must part as friends and comrades-in-arms."
"This is not goodbye," Len reacted. "This is just a simple parting. Even though you're no longer a Kamen Rider, you can still traverse from Earth to Ventara and vice-versa – and still see us in action."
"And…" Kase continued, "…we will always keep an eye on your relationship with Kyouko. Now that's the power of two couples standing strong despite numerous challenges!" She elicited a light chuckle.
"Yeah," Kyouko replied. "All we need is to… dive into the mirror… and see each other whenever we have the chance."
Kyouko and I then made our friendly parting shots with Sayaka, Len, and Kase.
Our adventures as Kamen Rider and Puella Magi may have ended, but for the three, their adventure still continues.
And Eubulon and Madoka? After they have said their farewells to us five, they vanished simply into thin air. But seeing their omnipotence, they would still watch over us.
As we walked down a road after transporting ourselves to Earth via an easily-accessible mirror, we exchanged some words.
"Kit… I guarantee that I will never go back to Mitakihara… or to my own hometown, after all that has happened."
"But why? You hate your father?"
"Not really… in fact, I felt sorry for him… and for myself. I just wanted to help him, and what did I get? Only anguish. After all, I wanted to break free from my dark past… or more accurately… merely remember it without feeling any pain… since I've broken free of it."
"Well then… just remember that your father… and your family… will always be cherished in your heart… since you originated there."
"But of course, you're still number one in my heart. Tee hee! And by the way… since you mentioned my father, I want… to meet yours."
"Sure, why not? After all, he's alive and kicking."
We then held our hands and fast-paced ourselves back to my original home – my apartment.
Some minutes later…
Over some tea and cookies, Kyouko and I had a genial conversation with my father, Frank.
"Oh. So this girl's name is… Kyouko Sakura?" Dad asked.
"Yes. I come from some faraway place, but due to a contrived circumstance, I met Kit… and we eventually fell in love with each other," she answered.
"And Dad, I have something to confess. I've… retired from being a Kamen Rider."
"Why, Kit?"
"Because the remnants of Xaviax have all been eliminated. I wanted to start my life all over again… and do you proud."
"What a simple, yet noble decision you have made on your own. Whatever road you will take, I will still support you," Dad replied after a brief silence.
We then said, "Thank you."
Kyouko then told the story about her father, and it sent Dad to tears.
"Then… why would he do it? Because to the faithful, magic is a tool of the devil?"
"No, Dad," I rejoined. "Magic in itself is neither good nor bad – it all depends on who uses it. Just like with guns. Guns don't kill; people do."
He answered, while trying to stop his tears, "Yes. You were a responsible Kamen Rider until your retirement – and Kyouko, you realized your wrongdoing and consigned your chance meeting with Kit to fixing it. Now…"
His stream of tears finally stopped.
"You both voluntarily gave up your powers. But you still wield the power of love. For my sake, for the sake of others, and for yourselves – please, use it responsibly."
We confidently replied – to my father and her future father-in-law – "Yes."
We then left the apartment and continued our walk.
More miles were trudged, and we encountered a church. Upon seeing this sacred structure, Kyouko was strongly reminded of her father. But, with her ugly memories now consigned to mere smithereens – she could only whisper closely to my ear…
"I am a religious person. But not all religious persons are spiritually upright – my father was an example. But now… my faith… in myself… in you… and to the one above… is restored. I believe… that I live for a reason."
"Yeah, Kyouko," I whispered back to her. "I also live for a reason."
Three years later…
Kyouko and I finally tied the knot. But before we could conceive our very first child…
We decided to write a book that chronicles our love story – from where it began to where it had finally gone to: a blissful marriage.
The title of the book was "Coccinea: The Tale of a Kamen Rider and a Puella Magi".
Coccinea, by the way, is the Latin word for scarlet. It not just represents the collective color of our transformed forms, red – but it also symbolizes our blazing resolve to keep our consummate love burning through every trial we endured, even fighting our own fates.
We launched our book at Grace's Books – once a humble bookstore that later expanded into a supermarket of knowledge.
Amid the long queues of people who want our signatures in their newly-bought copies, I noticed a familiar face.
That familiar face was Maya Young, a paranormal reporter and blogger who discovered everything about the Kamen Riders and Ventara – and eventually wrote her own book about them, told in the style of a children's fable.
"Maya, hello."
"Oh, nice to meet you again, Kit. And… Kyouko, is it? Nice to meet you, too."
"Ah, so you're Maya Young, Kit's old friend. It's a pleasure to see you for the first time."
"Well, Kit, I never knew you would embark on another adventure. And due to that, you scored a lovely wife!"
My face bore a slight blush. "M-Maya… don't embarrass me."
Kyouko chuckled a little. "Oh, Kit… even a tough guy like you has a soft spot."
"Well, Kyouko," I responded, "It's the Descender's fault. That guy… really is dedicated to Kanonno."
"Huh?" Maya pondered. "Who are the Descender and Kanonno, anyway?"
"Ahahaha." Kyouko shook off the question. "It's nothing!"
"Anyway, I just came here for you two to sign my own copy." Maya then presented a fresh copy of the book.
We then signed the book. Our messages to her were as follows:
"I had new memories that I don't want to forget, and thus I inscribe them in this book. –Kit Taylor"
"With love and courage, we can all achieve our happy endings. –Kyouko Taylor nee Sakura"
After we finished signing, Maya commented, "Such beautiful messages. Thank you."
"And by the way, Maya," Kyouko interrupted. "I also brought your book about the Kamen Riders. Since I have a penchant for stories depicting love and courage, it would be an honor if you, the author, imprint your signature in it."
The redhead then presented her copy of Maya's book, and the reporter signed her own dedication.
"Kyouko – To happy endings, and also to happy beginnings! –Maya"
"Thank you, Maya. We wish you well in your future ventures," Kyouko responded.
We then bade farewell to Maya, who immediately left to attend to another reporting business.
After the queues of people signing our books were finally exhausted, we decided to walk up to the bookstore's rooftop.
As we walked slowly while holding hands and looking at the rooftop's simple yet beautiful mirror display, we noticed something peculiar.
We saw the images of other people who were involved in "the traitor game", all wearing smiles… as they also achieved their own happy endings after Mayuri was defeated.
The impulsive martial artist, Domon Kasshu.
The selfish and reluctant hero, Kei Kurono.
The princess of all monsters, Princess Lilliane.
The man with the machine gun, Laguna Loire.
The alien king and emperor, Gid Lucione Deviluke.
The stupid prince, Baka Oji.
The woman with the attitude of a military man, Salvatore the Magnificent.
The brash gun maniac, Forte Stollen.
The unproductive alien invader, Sergeant Keroro.
The mysterious woman who keeps a supernatural secret, Reika Mishima.
The snake-like witch, Medusa.
The woman with powers comparable to a goddess, Teela Zain Elmes.
The hardened mech pilot, Akito Tenkawa.
The alien doctor, Mordin Solus.
The martial artist bearing the power of the north star, Kenshiro.
The delinquent, Youhei Sunohara.
The woman with power over the wind, Maxine "Cyclone" Hunkel.
The level-headed ex-criminal, Spike Spiegel.
The esper, Accelerator.
The supreme chef, Liu Mao Hsing.
The detective, L.
The magic swordswoman, Erza Scarlet.
The mech pilot whose idealism and nationalism was shattered by war, Suzaku Kururugi.
The emotionless young girl, Anya Alstreim.
The young empress, Seth Nightroad.
The rambunctious boy, Shinnosuke Nohara.
The foul-mouthed master of death, Gig.
The girl with psychokinesis and a Traitor, Silvia de Alisia.
The rebellious heir to an oppressive throne and also a Traitor, Audrey Burne.
Our hearts were warmed at their simple yet effective gestures of contentment.
We continued our walk, and our reflections then revealed…
…the images of the Descender and Kanonno, who were as happy as us – because their efforts to strengthen, and later mend, our fruitful relationship – has born fruit.
They only whispered to us, "May your mythologies be always radiant."
The images then vanished, and our own reflections were once again on the mirror.
As the clear afternoon wind blew and a flock of doves followed two red balloons in the sky, we whispered once again the three magic words.
"I love you."
And we immediately hugged each other and locked our lips.
We let ourselves loose in this private moment of ours – since we are confident that we will live normally and grow old with each other.
Just then, a small white catlike creature observed us from a distance. He could only say this to himself…
"Love truly is a volatile thing. When used improperly, it can generate only tragedy. But when used properly by two people who are true to themselves… it can generate an energy exceeding that of 300 million souls of young girls I usually harvest for them to become Puella Magi. If more people possess this exceptional love displayed by those two… there will be no need for Puella Magi – and the heat death of the universe will never happen. …But what will become of me and my fellows once that happens? That, I do not know."
The creature then left from where it stood – a tower near the bookstore.
Meanwhile, from somewhere far away…
A girl with jet-black hair felt something, and murmured, "So, you've made another miracle. You're on the fast track to befriending more people, not just me."
From yet another faraway place…
A blonde girl with drill curls also felt the same something that the black-haired girl felt. She whispered to herself, "A miracle? I surely won't lose my head over this."
And from a considerable distance away from Grace's Books…
Sayaka, Len, and Kase felt their "Advent Sense" tingling through them. They sprang into action, fighting a small group of monsters that dared to disturb the peace.
For the blue-haired girl, she had huge shoes to fill. But as she saw what Kyouko and I did – she would do her best in my absence – in order to not just impress the two veteran Kamen Riders, but to also prove to herself that she fights selflessly.
From above, Eubulon and Madoka smiled with satisfaction.
Our tale of consummate love that defied fate… is being felt throughout the multiverse.
And it's not a mere dream anymore. #
Special thanks go to the following people who provided great input and inspiration.
1. The denizens of Hero TV Forums, especially the following who were involved in Traitor Game VI that compelled me to write "Coccinea".
Thousand Mistress, who played as Kyouko
Black_Frost
tomiko_van
solguilty
setsuna15
yukishiro14
Frailty
Legend Killer
ragnarok0422
alennkitsune
enigmator
caos10830235
takatsuki_kanade09
crimson-viper
hikaru_yamato
NanayaShinya
Jeremi88
[ADIDAS]Demonlord
kyoyagami911
Josh M
Ultimate Coordinator
Dearkie
sacred_essence
chloe_zelliane
Cha
S-LieSense
Axelle
Liflime
echizen12
esereht
sato-kun
Makoto
g-dawg, the GM
2. Queen, George Michael / Seether, Takuya Yasuda, Ryuji Sasai, and defspiral for providing songs that gave the framework for this story's five phases
3. The people behind Kamen Rider Dragon Knight and Puella Magi Madoka Magica for providing primary material
4. TV Tropes for providing supplemental material
And finally, to you, the reader, for enjoying the story.
May we meet in different pages someday.