Horseshoes and Hand-grenades

XI: 20-5-1-13 19-16-9-18-9-20

"Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art."

-Leonardo da Vinci

In the dining cart of the DenLiner, Chuta Ohsugi observed his students going over the plan for what seemed like the fifth time. Miu and Shun finalized this plan the past night, contacting everyone via text messages, emails and cellphone calls to ensure that everything that could go wrong, would not. This wasn't a game - there were lives on the line and they had to be saved before Ophiuchus or Gamou gained complete control over them. Without Gentaro or Ryusei at their side, the Kamen Rider Club had to make good use of what they had left.

Ohsugi grinned at the sight. He couldn't be more proud of them! The club members were becoming more than just a club. They transformed into an attack force whose objectives were to free Gentaro from the darkness, stop the school's faculty from completing their evil plans, and to uncover the truth behind Ryusei Sakuta. It was going to be difficult, dangerous and maybe outright suicidal, but these teens and Imagin were determined to get the job done.

"Sensei," said Miu. "Sensei, are you listening?"

Ohsugi shook his head and turned to the Club Chairman, nodding his head. Miu then pointed to the area of the whiteboard where his name was written.

"You're going to be an important part of the plan," She said. "You read through Principal Hayami's journal, right?"

"I read it from cover to cover," Ohsugi answered, taking the journal into his hands. "Sonada was taken into the 'Dark Nebula' by Virgo Zodiarts, but Hayami doesn't know her true identity. The journal also stated that Hayami used his illusion powers as Libra Zodiarts to transform Natsuji Kijima into a persecuting detective, and manipulated Virgo to send him to the Dark Nebula."

"Kijima?" asked Norio. "You mean the Rakugo Club President? I never thought that he would be so...evil."

"He framed Haruka-sensei to be the Pegasus Zodiarts because she confiscated his fan after he accidentally hit her with it," said Yuki. "He force people into a 'Comedy of Hell' to make students into Zodiarts or suck their souls to empower him! He stole the souls of the Kamen Rider Club just for spite and transformed into a crab-like behemoth! He's evil to the core!"

"I never did like that grin on his face," Chosuke growled, cracking his knuckles. "If I ever see him again, he's going to get pounded!"

"The emphasis is on 'if', Chosuke," said Shun. "We don't know where or what the Dark Nebula is; only Virgo Zodiarts is capable of opening a portal to that realm."

"Which is where Shun and I come in," said Miu, pointing to the area of the whiteboard where her and Shun's names were written. "We're going to do some research that relates to Kengo's father and the Fourze Driver and then use it to trace back to people involved with him. Once we found what we're looking for, we'll head off to find it."

"And what about me?" asked Ohsugi. "Where do I fit in all of this?"

"You're the most important part of our plan. We need you to venture into the Dark Nebula and free Sonada-sensei and Kijima. Do you think you can handle it?"

Chuta Ohsugi looked down at the pass that Owner and Station Master handed to him days ago. He knew that it was time for him to learn what this pass had in store for him, and to show that he was serious about being the faculty adviser for the Kamen Rider Club. He turned to his students and shook his head.

"I don't think I can handle it," he answered. "I know and will handle it."

0-0-0-0-0

The geography teacher was resting at a tea shop, sipping on a cup of peppermint tea with honey and a small radio in his hand. The bug he placed on Hayami's neck days ago was working, but he wasn't hearing anything in particular. That was to be expected—Kouhei Hayami was not a chatterbox.

Ohsugi was able to pick up snippets of conversation between Hayami and someone else. He couldn't tell who said person was, but he knew that the voice was very familiar. Sipping some tea, he began to manipulate the dial to hear more of the conversation. He found nothing; some teacher he was turning out to be.

He turned to the window to see Miu and Shun walking toward the shop. The door opened as the two entered, panting for breath. He waited as they told the cashier that they were with someone before seeing the University students sit down next to him. Miu pulled out something from her purse and placed it into his hand.

"Keep this prepared and don't come chasing after us until Shun or I say the word," said the Club Chairman. "Trust me, you'll know when it's time."

"Is this-?" Miu and Shun nodded their heads. Ohsugi looked in awe. "How did you-"

"We'll explain later," said Shun. "Right now, Miu and I have to run. See you later." He gave Ohsugi a two fingered salute before he and Miu left the tea shop. Ohsugi opened his hand, seeing a red Horoscope Switch topped with the Astrological sign of Virgo. This was the switch that would enable Miu's plan to go forward; all he had to do was play his part.

Ohsugi pocketed the switch into his jacket and patted it once, ensuring its safety. Then, he proceeded to drink his tea in silence.

0-0-0-0-0

"I can't believe we actually figured out Virgo Zodiarts' true identity!" said Shun, running through the city. "How did you know it was Emoto, Miu?"

"I checked out his name for one thing," Miu answered, carrying the briefcase in her hand as she spoke. "It's backwards for otome, or 'Virgin' and Virgo's meaning can be either 'Maiden' or 'Virgin'. Second, I also found journal entries relating to the maps of Kyoto we found. Guess what I figured out?"

"What's that?"

"Our chairman and founder of Amanogawa High was also involved in Rokuro Utahoshi's work."

"Really?"

"Really. Since Rokuro is dead and Emoto is alive, it got me thinking: What if Emoto and Gamou made an alliance of shorts? Then I put two and two together, said the right words, and waited for the chips to fall."

"I love the way your mind works, Miu," Shun said with a smile. "Now we'll...huh?"

The college students stopped running and saw Ryusei slowly approaching them, his eyes glowing red and his fingertips dancing with electricity. When he lifted his gaze, he smiled. That smile sent shivers down Miu and Shun's spines. It looked like it properly belonged on the face of a serial killer or a horror movie villain than a teenager like Ryusei.

"Ryusei?" asked Shun. "What are you doing here?"

"My father asked me to get rid of you in any way possible," Ryusei answered coldly. "That is what I shall do!"

"But that's not possible! You don't have a-"

Ryusei tossed one of his daggers toward Shun, the college quarterback ducking at the last minute. The dagger faded away as Ryusei continued to approach him.

"Miu!" said Shun, staring at his friend. "Get going! Head toward the pillar before Hayami can!"

"What about you?" asked Miu. "Will you be all right?"

"Don't worry about me," Shun pulled out his Liner Belt and wrapped it around his waist. "I'll be fine. Please...go."

Miu nodded her head and began to run off, just as Shun pressed the blue button his belt.

0-0-0-0-0-

Mari Yamamoto looked at the clock in fear. Ever since her discovery about the cabinet in the chariman's office, and being scared half to death by the chairman's bodyguard, all she could think about was the return of the Zodiarts and how Miura became a pawn to the chairman's schemes. How was this possible? Gentaro freed Miura from the withdrawal from the Zodiarts Switches and Miura even promised to never be involved with them again. Something was terribly wrong if Miura was dragged into this mess again.

When the school bell rang, she quickly packed up her books and rushed to the door. Just as she was about to leave for her trip home, a voice spoke up.

"Excuse me, Mari," said the voice. Mari turned around, seeing Haruka Utsugi at her desk, staring at the student with curiosity. "Can I talk to you for a moment?"

"O-oh, Utsugi-sensei," Mari stuttered. "I wish I can talk, but I have somewhere important to go to and..."

"It's about Miura isn't it?"

Mari gasped and looked left and right, clutching her notebook closely. She leaned toward her homeroom teacher. "H-how did you know?" she asked.

Haruka saw the other students leave the classroom before standing up. She slid the door close and locked it tight before answering, "Ohsugi told me what's been going on." She turned to Mari and added, "The Zodiarts attacks have been caused by fellow teachers and other members of the faculty, and Gentaro Kisaragi is still alive."

"B-but..." Mari shook her head in disbelief. "Gentaro died...I was at his funeral! Half of the entire school was at the funeral! Gentaro..."

"Sit down and listen to me, Mari Yamamoto," Haruka dragged a chair toward the photographer and placed a firm hand on it. "What you're about to hear is unbelievable, impossible and maybe even slightly absurd. But everything you're about to hear is 100% accurate. The most important thing I must tell you is that you are not alone; there are other students who knows what's going on and are helping to fight against this threat. Please Mari..." Haruka placed a comforting hand on Mari's shoulder. "Will you take the time to listen to my story?"

Mari bit her lip. She remembered the look in Tatsugami's eyes and how he threatened to make her become one of the Zodiarts. If it hadn't been for the camera in her hand, she probably would've shared Miura's fate. She went over the recording over and over again when she made it home, but each repetition made her even more terrified than before. The thought of seeing the boy she loved being brainwashed made her stomach crawl. Why would someone do such a thing?

Mari pulled out the camera in her bag and handed it to her teacher. She nodded her head and said, "Tell me what's going on with Amanogawa High. When Monday comes around, this will be the headline news for the Milky Way Wishes Archives."

0-0-0-0-0-

"Ready Urataros?" asked Shun. "Let's fight!"

An orb of light entered his body, giving him a pair of square spectacles and blue eyes. Urataros grasped onto the Liner Pass in his hand and said, "Henshin!"

Rod Form

Sliding the Liner pass through the belt, a set of black and white armor decorated his body. A large blue and orange turtle hovered around him before splitting in half, creating a blue face plate with large orange eyes. In his hands was a long metallic staff. The newly formed Rod Den-O stared at Ryusei, while Ryusei just replied with his icy glare.

"Mind if I reel you in?" asked Rod Den-O. "I hope you don't mind."

"I do," Ryusei snarled. The dagger in his hand faded and his nails began to grow into sharp electric talons. "Prepare to die!"

Ryusei jumped into the air, crossed his arms and then brought them out. Bolts of lightning flew from his fingertips that Rod Den-O blocked with his staff. Ryusei soon landed onto his feet, swiping the air in an attempt to slash the blue Kamen Rider across the face.

"You must be dismembered!" Ryusei hissed. "Father wishes for you to go away!"

"I haven't done anything wrong!" said Urataros, dodging another attack. "Why are you attacking me? I just want to help!"

"Help me by DYING FOR ME!" Ryusei screamed, clenching his hands. A spear made of lightning materialized in his hands. "DIE FOR ME!"

He hurled the spear toward Rod Den-O's heart, only for Urataros to instinctively catch it. Unfortunately, it only caused him to be attacked with ten thousand volts of electricity. He screamed as he fell onto his knees in pain.

"Did that hurt?" Ryusei asked mockingly. "It should've." He kicked Rod Den-O onto his back and placed his foot on his chest. "Time to make you into Mock Turtle Soup!"

"Mock Turtle Soup..." Urataros repeated. "You know, if you weren't trying to kill me, that would be pretty hilarious."

"SHUT UP!" Ryusei's eyes began to glow red. "Just SHUT UP!"

Lightning formed in his hands once more. Rod Den-O grasped onto his rod to deflect the attack, but that was the opening Ryusei was looking for. He quickly grasped onto the staff and sent a surge of electrical power throughout the fallen Kamen Rider's body. Urataros and Shun screamed before they were engulfed in a large explosion. When it died down, there was only an unconscious Urataros and a weak, Shun Daimonji. Ryusei lifted Shun onto his feet, hand on his neck.

"Where is it?" he hissed. "What did you do with it?"

"Do with what?" asked Shun. "I have no idea what you're talking about!"

"LIAR! Where is it? Tell me or else I'll kill you and your little...wait..." Ryusei turned his gaze toward the distance. "She has it."

"No she doesn't!" Shun screamed, realizing what Ryusei was thinking. "Don't go after her! She doesn't have what you're looking for!"

"It all makes so much sense," said Ryusei. "That's why you told her to leave. Well..." He laughed. "I'll make sure to be nice to her. I can't say the same about you though."

Before Shun had a chance to ask, he felt Ryusei feeling around his neck for something. He tried to pull the hand away, but Ryusei just squeezed onto Shun's throat tighter. In Ryusei's right hand, there was a dagger. Shun knew what was coming next. Instead of begging and pleading, he sighed in defeat, letting a tear fall down his face.

Ryusei licked the blade before running the tip across Shun's neck. Then, he slit it opened, blood spurting out everywhere. He smiled at the sight of Shun Daimonji's blood coating his face as he dropped the body onto the ground. Shun's face was wide with terror as the blood began to pool around his injured body, but Ryusei didn't care. He just kept laughing as he smeared the blood all over his face.

"That's right, Father!" he exclaimed. "This is what I was made for, isn't it? To kill all of the people who would get in our way, right? Then I shall fulfill your wish!"

Ryusei continued to laugh as he walked off, leaving Shun behind. What he did not notice was the serpent that was slowly making its way toward the blood.

0-0-0-0-0-0

Gentaro blocked the axes of his opponents with the blades on his wrists, kicking Axe Den-O in the stomach and swiping Wing Den-O across the face with the blunt side of his blade. He stabbed the ground with the blade and proceeded to lift his legs in the air, eying his opponent with the right blade on his wrist.

"Kingsnake: Obliterate!"

A stream of fireballs escaped the blade, exploding near the Kamen Riders' feet. Axe Den-O deflected two of them with his axe, while Wing Den-O threw his boomerang through the flames. The boomerang flew through the fireballs before smacking Gentaro right in the face.

"Let go of your anger, Kisaragi!" said Kintaros, swatting the fire orbs away. "The more anger you possess, the more the serpent possesses you!"

"I like it that way," Gentaro hissed. "All the rage I have in my heart is enough to crush you all like the backstabbing roaches you are!" He swiped the right blade in the air, causing a fan of fireballs to zoom toward his enemies.

"Gentaro," said Sieg, swiping away at two more fireballs. "Listen to us! You're being manipulated by Ophiuchus! He doesn't care about what you want! He only cares about himself!"

"How would you know that?" Gentaro snarled, removing the left blade on the ground and landing on his feet. "Were you there when my 'friends' watched me die? Were you there when Ryusei Sakuta betrayed me? Were you there to comfort me in the afterlife? No! You weren't there at all! YOU DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO HELP ME, EGUCHI!" Gentaro's eyes began to glow red as he felt tears fall down his face. "YOU ALL LEFT ME TO DIE!"

The Serpent-bearer let out a powerful roar as his body became encased in black scales. A pair of black and red wings unfurled from his back and a rattlesnake tail curled near his body. Axe and Wing Den-O stepped back, seeing the transformation take over what was once the cheerful Gentaro Kisaragi. Now, there was nothing more than a demon parading in his skin.

"We have to retreat!" said Sieg. "He's too strong! No matter what we do, he's just getting angrier and angrier!"

"Then let's end this quick," said Kintaros, a Liner Pass in hand. "While he's still in his stage of frustration, we'll knock him down!"

Axe Den-O placed the pass in front of the scanner, bolts of yellow electricity passing inbetween them.

Full Charge

The axe wielding Kamen Rider tossed the Liner Pass away as he raised his axe into the air. The axe began to crackle and spark with power as the Kamen Rider rushed toward Gentaro. Gentaro raised his blades into the air, ready to block the attack, but Kintaros was ready. Using his right hand, he landed a jab at Gentaro's stomach, causing the Serpent-bearer to stumble. Then, the axe was raised over the Kamen Rider's head was brought down, cleaving Gentaro in half. An explosion shrouded the Serpent-bearer in an cloud of fire and smoke.

"Dynamic Chop," Kintaro stated, cracking his neck with his fist.

Gentaro fell onto his knees, returning to his normal form as a teenager. He growled as he prepared to attack Kintaros, but instead collapsed into unconsciousness. There was some silence before Wing Den-O removed his belt, reverting into both Sieg, the Swan Imagin and Norio Eguchi.

"Gentaro..." Norio whispered. "I'm so sorry..."

Axe Den-O removed his belt also, returning to both Kintaros and Ban Chosuke. Chosuke approached Gentaro and lightly touched him with his shoe.

"He's not fully dead," he said. "Gentaro just got knocked out from blow, but he'll be up and about in a few minutes. We have to find his cronies and see what they're planning in Gentaro's steed."

"But..." Norio shook his head. "What about Gentaro? We can't just leave him here..."

"If we bring him back to us, then that means he can attack all of us when we're at our most vulnerable. We have to follow Kengo and the others so we can at least figure out what Gentaro is planning. All right?"

Norio hesitated and looked to Sieg and Kintaros. The two Imagins nodded their head in agreement. Norio swallowed a lump in his throat as he also nodded his head.

"All right, Chosuke," he said at last. "Let's find Kengo and let's make it quick. We don't know what else is in store for us."

0-0-0-0-0-0

"Come out, Kazashiro!" Ryusei yelled, searching for Miu. "Where are you?!"

The city was quiet as Ryusei continued to call out for Miu. His face was still covered with the blood of his first kill, and that only made him impatient as to when he would go out to kill once more.

"Kazashiro!" Ryusei called once more. "Come out, come out ,wherever you are!"

"She's not here right now," said a voice. "However, I think I know what you're looking for."

Ryusei turned around, standing face to face with Chuta Ohsugi. He looked into the teacher's eyes. Instead of seeing the cowardly teacher who would run away from seeing a Zodiarts, Ohsugi's eyes were calm, and his stance firm. He smiled.

"Do you now?" asked Ryusei. "Where is it?"

"It's here," Ohsugi answered, pulling out the Zodiarts switch from his pocket. "If I give this to you, do you promise not to harm my students?"

"Cross my heart and hope to die," Ryusei made an X over his heart, but also crossing his fingers behind his back. "Your students won't be hurt by me at all."

"Promise?"

"I always keep my promises."

"...Very well, then. Take it."

Ohsugi tossed the Zodiarts Switch toward Ryusei, who caught it easily. Ryusei inspected it closely before walking off.

Ohsugi fell onto his knees and began to breathe in and out. He didn't like the sight of blood, and seeing Ryusei's face covered in it gave him very horrible thoughts. Was someone killed? Did Ryusei kill someone? He didn't want to think about it right now else he'd faint from sheer horror.

It was too quiet...quiet enough for two people to have a simple conversation to themselves. Ohsugi slowly stood up and took a deep breath to calm his heart down.

"All right," he said. "You can come out now, Virgo."

Approaching the geography teacher from behind was the Zodiarts of the Maiden, wielding her powerful axe. The geography teacher turned around, but showed no sign of fear when their eyes met. The Zodiarts showed a hint of a smile. Ohsugi didn't.

"You made the right choice in making Sakuta leave," said Virgo, bowing gracefully. "Your student won't be sent into the Dark Nebula. Instead, you shall take her place."

"I know," said Ohsugi, hands stuffed into his pockets. "Make it quick; I want this to be swift and painless. The more you make it hurt, the more my students will come to tear you apart."

"Very well. Hold still."

Virgo Zodiarts raised her staff into the air as a purple and black vortex manifested over Ohsugi's head. A dark wind began to blow and liftedhim into the air. Ohsugi didn't scream or cry in terror; he smiled and gave the Zodiarts Shun's trademark two-fingered salute. Virgo Zodiarts snarled and slammed her axe onto the ground in fury once the vortex swallowed Chuta Ohsugi whole.

"The more people who know, the more this masquerade starts to crumble," she said. "Desperate times call for desperate measures."

0-0-0-0-0-

"I'm...here..." JK gasped, approaching the stage where the Kamen Riders and female Amanogawa Students were at. "I...made it."

"JK!" said Yuki, grabbing her lunchbox and rushing to her friend's side. She opened it and pulled out her canteen asking, "What happened to you?"

"Gentaro...he's in the city." JK collapsed onto his knees in pain and took a deep breath. "He's too strong; he's unstoppable."

"Where's Chosuke and Motoyama?" asked Erin. "What happened to them? Weren't they with you?"

"They came back to stop Gentaro from killing me. They told me to high-tail it out of there before I got killed in the cross-fire. Gentaro..." JK took a sip of water from Yuki's canteen before speaking. "He...also told me something."

"What did he say?" asked Erin.

"'Keep your friends close and your past closer.'"

"What did he mean by that?" asked Yuki. "JK, is there something you haven't been telling us?"

JK turned to see Tomoko, Daisuke and Joji working on a scene of their little skit. Daisuke and Joji were currently fighting each other in a mock battle, fighting to see who was the strongest. Tomoko stood in-between them, watching the two in their battle with fear and worry. JK then turned toward his friends and sighed.

"My real name is Kaizou Jingu," he began. "And I have a secret I must share with you all."

0-0-0-0-0-

Mari stayed silent after Haruka finished her explanation. She felt everything crash down around her. It couldn't have been true. The Zodiarts attacks, the Kamen Rider Club, Miura's strange behavior...it was if all of these events were found inside a science fiction book. Still, she had evidence in her hand as to what was going on. The proof was in the pudding, or in this case, the camera.

"I...I don't know what to say, sensei," Mari began. She clutched the camera in her hand and said, "It's a lot to take in. I didn't realize..."

"I don't blame you for being oblivious to this," said Haruka, placing her hands over Mari's own. "The school has been covering this scandal up for quite some time. The police are no use, the teachers are in on this situation, and Gentaro has...gone to the dark side. Still, that doesn't mean we can give up. We still have people who are fighting against this menace. We still have hope."

"Do we, sensei? Do we really stand a chance?"

"Yes, Mari," Haruka smiled. "There are still people who are helping us with our battle against evil. All we have to do is spread the word, obtain more allies, and everything will fall into place."

"I want to do more than that. I want to join in on the action. Sensei," Mari looked into her teacher's eyes. "We need to stop Miura from finding the previous Switchers before they transform into Zodiarts. I never want Miura to fall into the darkness ever again."

"I'm with you," Haruka stood up and extended her hand. "But first, how about we shake on this?"

Mari took her teacher's hand and the two proceeded to enact Gentaro's special handshake of friendship.

0-0-0-0-0-

Libra Zodiarts walked through the streets of the Kyoto Movie Village in silence, walking amongst the sleeping tourists. His mission to destroy the stone pillar was a success, but having to retreat again made him slightly irritated. These stupid Kamen Riders were popping up everywhere, and he was tricked by a little girl and a satellite toy. He had never been so humiliated in his life!

Still, as he searched for the item that would take him one step closer into completing his mission, a searing pain deep within his skull made him stumble back. It was the serpent in his mind, hissing dark words of promise into his ear in order to make him submit. The serpent's voice was louder in Kyoto, coaxing the Zodiarts to give in and let go. With each passing step, it became harder and harder to fight; a part of him wanted to become one with the serpent and to forget everything that he once known. But Kouhei Hayami wasn't like the weak-willed Gentaro Kisaragi; he was stronger than that foolish teen would ever be.

The Zodiarts of the Scales turned and saw what he was looking for: the second of the stone pillars. If he could all four pillars, then he would successfully complete his mission and earn Gamou's favor once more. He'd show Tatsugami that he was worthy of obtaining of being a Zodiarts and he'd definitely show that stupid serpent that he was better.

"Principal Hayami," said a voice. "How nice to see you here."

Libra turned around and saw Kengo and Jiro slowly approach them. Kengo was slowly clapping his hands in applause.

"So, this is why the Serpent-bearer asked us to join him for this trip," he said. "It was to keep an eye on you, correct?"

"I don't need a babysitter to oversee my job," Libra grumbled. "I especially don't need little brats to watch over me."

"We're just doing you a favor," said Jiro, extending his hand toward the Zodiarts. "We can work together and destroy the pillar and split the profit of its destruction 50/50. We're both after the same thing with the destruction of the Four Pillars; we both want power and revenge. We both want to be respected for our wishes."

Libra Zodiarts slowly stood up and pointed at his enemies with his staff.

"I'd rather die than ask for your help," he snarled. "I'd rather be stomped to pieces before I would let you brats do my work for me! I would rather-"

Power Dizer

Libra looked up as he found himself grabbed by the hands of the Power Dizer mecha. The Zodiarts of the Scales struggled to escape the robot's grip, but it was no use. It was like trying to fight against gravity—it was a fight that he was going to lose.

"Principal Hayami," said a voice from within the machine. "Your reign of terror is over. Surrender now and I won't have to kill you."

Kengo looked at the mecha and began to slowly clap his hands. He didn't have to be a brain surgeon to figure out who was piloting the Power Dizer; he already knew from the minute they spoke as who they were dealing with.

"Hello, Club Chairman," he said, continuing to clap his hands. "What are you doing in Kyoto on a day like this? I thought you were back at the University with your lapdog trailing behind you."

"Kengo!" said the voice of Miu Kazashiro. The Club Chairman leaned forward and scooped Kengo into the Power Dizer's hand. Kengo didn't fidget; he kept his smug smile on his face as she spoke. "Kengo Utahoshi, what happened to you? Why did you let Gentaro and Ophiuchus into your heart? I thought you were better than that!"

"I thought so too, but then I realized something," Kengo grinned as his eyes began to glow violet. "I'd rather have people not look down at me. I'd rather have people bow before my feet. I don't need the stupid Kamen Rider Club and its friendship speeches dictating my life! I decide my fate!"

"Kengo, what about your father? What would he think?"

"He wouldn't be thinking at all. He's dead, remember?" Kengo let a cruel laugh escaped his lips as he raised a hand into the air. "And soon, you and the rest of the Kamen Rider Club will follow suite."

Libra concentrated and fired a bolt of electricity from his antenna, aiming it at the face of the mecha. Miu gasped and let go of her grip on the school principal, the Zodiarts of the Scales soon falling onto the ground. She snarled as she tried her hardest to grab onto him once more, but this time Libra was ready. He rolled out of the way just in time and fired a bolt of electricity right at the pillar.

"No!" Miu cried, leaning the Power Dizer's right hand inbetween the pillar and lightning bolt. The lightning bolt bounced harmlessly against the mecha's arm. "I won't let you accomplish your mission, Principal! The Zodiarts shall fail and so will Ophiuchus! That is my statement as Club Chairman!"

Miu let out a powerful yell as she slammed the Power Dizer's massive hand onto the ground. The ground began to quake when the hand smacked it, causing the buildings to tremble and the people on the ground to fall onto their knees. Jiro snarled, his eyes glowing yellow and a pair of daggers appearing in his hands.

"You're starting to irritate me, you know that?" he said. Jiro turned his gaze toward the Zodiarts of the Scales. "But until then, I've got a bug to stomp!"

Jiro ran toward Libra Zodiarts, his mind only focused on what the Serpent-bearer told him to do: to see whether or not Kouhei Hayami had what it takes to be one of them.

0-0-0-0-0-0-

Ryusei walked across the town, the Zodiarts Switch in hand. All he had to do now was to give it to Tachibana and the mission would be complete. No one would ever be the wiser.

As he walked, he saw people watching two people fight. One man was dressed as a bird with bright green feathers, the other had a skeletal appearance and a blindfold covering his eyes. Inbetween them was a girl dressed in white, looking at the two with fear. At the sight of the girl, Ryusei felt his heart beat against his chest. This girl looked so familiar to him...but why was that?

Pocketing the switch into his jacket, he rushed toward the crowd, oblivious to them screaming in terror at the sight of seeing him covered in blood. The actors stopped their fighting and turned to see him. The girl placed a hand over her mouth at what she was seeing, but otherwise remained in character (or at least, in character as one could when seeing someone covered in blood). She then turned to the bird and skeleton, nodding her head.

Ryusei saw the skeleton bring his hand out and helped him climb onto the stage. He stared into the girl's eyes as he waited for her to speak.

0-0-0-0-0-0-

Norio and Chosuke ran through the city of Kyoto, running aimlessly for some sort of clue as to their next destination. There were still no signs of Aries Zodiarts or Gentaro—thank goodness—but Norio had that feeling of something...something gone wrong. The thought of Misa's imprisonment frightened him; yes, she was mean, but she must've had a good reason as to why she was mean. There had to be some excuse that, whether he liked it or not, made her latch onto Cygnus Zodiarts and by extension, himself. The fact that Misa was angry at Norio only meant that she still harbored feelings for her swan-like hero, even if he was just a darker version of himself.

Chosuke's eyes saw a shadow in a cluster of trees and stopped. As Norio was still some paces behind, he decided to venture into the dense forest and see what was waiting for him. He saw the shadow dangling amongst the tree trunks, showing something...something that wasn't supposed to be here. A thought formed in his head...it was a suicide, wasn't it?

He saw a flash of white appearing before him. He only knew one person that was wearing all white in this time of day. More horrible images crossed his mind as he saw Kintaros's sandy figure—which was the Imagin's head and upper torso emerging from the ground and his lower torso and legs emerging from above—appearing before him.

"Kintaros," said Chosuke. "Can you...go to the figure and see if it's..."

"I understand what you're getting at." said Kintaros. "I'll go check on it right now, although I don't think you'll like the results."

The bear-like Imagin walked off as Norio finally approached the leader of delinquents. He fell onto his knees and gasped for breath.

"What's going on Chosuke?" he asked. "Why are we in the forest?"

"..." Chosuke didn't say anything, but instead curled his hand into a fist. This simple action only made the pounding in Norio Eguchi's heart beat louder than ever.

"C-Chosuke?" Norio repeated. "Why are we...what's going on? What happened?"

"Norio," Chosuke began. "I don't know if you want to hear this but..." He swallowed a lump in his throat. "You're not going to like what I think I just found."

"W-what do you mean? What's going on? Tell me!"

"Norio," Chosuke turned to his fellow Kamen Rider partner. "I think those guys made Misa Torizaki kill herself."