Horseshoes and Hand-grenades

XVI: 4-1-14-3-5/13-1-3-1-2-18-5

"Let us read, let us dance; these two amusements will never do any harm to the world."

-Voltaire (The philosopher)-

When all of the passengers of the DenLiner woke up the next morning at 8 AM sharp, they all knew what they had to do. No one was laughing, no one was excited, and no one was happy at what they were about to face. Even Naomi, who was known for her very optimistic attitude during Imagins attacks in the past, was silent as she prepared breakfasts of steamed rice mixed with raw egg, grilled fish and pickles. There was no time to be goofing off; there was a war to prepare for.

The Dining Car was packed as everyone ate their meals in silence. They were already seated in their small little groups for today—minus Hana, who was going to have to sit the fighting out in order to let her back heal—and each of them were preparing their own strategies against their adversaries.

"Yuki," said Miu, circling Yuki's name on a piece of paper. "Your Hayabusa plushie now becomes a powerful punching glove, so you'll be our close-combat specialist."

"Roger, Club Chairman!" said Yuki, saluting Miu. "You can count on me to get the job done!"

"Tomoko, your barrier powers will help us against Yuri's water based moves, and I asked Naomi to prepare some onigiri so you can regain your strength. See if you can work on crafting barriers to protect us, because I highly doubt that none of us will survive hot boiling water to the face."

"Right," said Tomoko, hands grasping onto her shed snake skin.

"Erin, you'll be on the defensive, and prepare to heal when we give the signal. Are you ready?"

"I'll give it my all," said Erin, grasping onto the Aquarius Horoscope Switch in hand. "I won't let anyone down."

Haruka was surrounded by the Imagin-possessed students, using a set of salt and pepper shakers—the salt representing her and the five Den-O Kamen Riders, and the pepper representing the Horoscope Zodiarts—to figure out a strategy.

"Momotaros," she said, pushing a salt shaker marked with a red sticker to the left close to a pepper shaker marked with the Astronomical sign of Leo. "You and Ryutaros will take on Leo Zodiarts head on."

"Hmph," said Momotaros. "That pussy cat and I have a score to settle."

"Yay!" said Ryutaros. "Kitty and I get to play!"

"Urataros, your fishing rod will be perfect against Virgo's flight," Haruka continued, pointing to a salt shaker with a blue sticker. "Keep on the defensive, and I'll work alongside you to ensure that Virgo can't get away."

"Understood," said Urataros, winking at the teacher. "I am amazed to find someone as beautiful, and intelligent, as you, Utsugi-sensei."

"Ignoring the Turtle Imagin's comment, Haruka then pointed to the yellow and white stickered salt shakers. "Sieg, you will be perfect to fight against Aries due to your mid-range attacks." she told the Swan Imagin. "And Kintaros, Libra should be a piece of cake due to your strength."

"That cockroach will cry when I squash him like the bug he is!" Kintaros boasted, cracking his neck. "Yes! I shall ensure that!"

"It'll be time for Aries to be counting sheep instead of me," said Sieg. "I never trusted sheep anyway."

Ohsugi, Joji, Daisuke and Nadeshiko were currently looking at a printed map of Kyoto, marked with the four pillars that Miu and Shun found yesterday. From Motoyama's sketch, the pillar at the bottom—the one decorated with a Vermilion Bird next to a large X—was crossed off. That left only three other pillars: the circle pillar to the West, the square pillar to the North and the triangle pillar to the East.

"Nadeshiko," said Joji. "You'll take the one to the East. Daisuke, you go to the one up North. Ohsugi and I will take the last one to the West."

"Pillar shall stand strong," said Daisuke. "Right Nadeshiko?"

"Right!" Nadeshiko answered, pulling out the Rocket Astroswitch from her pocket. "I'll go as soon as possible."

"As for you, Ohsugi," said Joji, staring at the geography teacher's attire. "Are you sure you want to go into battle dressed as...that?"

"I'm sure," Ohsugi answered, nodding his head. He was currently dressed in an assortment of the Kamen Rider Club's Kamen Rider Costumes from their 'Urban Mystery Booth' they created in the School's Cultural Festival. From this mish-mash, he had a finned glove covering his left hand, a pirate hook for his right, a metal bowl with red eyes and a black X on top of his head, and 'armor' with the chest being made out of green shoe slippers. "I know what I'm doing, Joji. Nadeshiko," he turned to his female companion. "Can you use your SOLU power to enhance these items?"

Nadeshiko nodded her head as she placed her hands over Ohsugi's own. She concentrated as silver slime escaped her palms, covering both pirate hook and finned glove. As the hands began to glow, Nadeshiko placed her hand over the metal bowl helmet and slipper armor, the two also glowing in a brilliant light.

"I see," said Joji, nodding his head. "With SOLU's ability to upgrade items, it'll ensure that you'll be able to fight alongside us. Well played."

"I also have this," Ohsugi pulled out a metal staff with the ends painted red. "Part of JK's Kamen Rider X cosplay that he never got to show at the school festival. This will be the only item that I won't upgrade."

"Why not?" asked Daisuke.

"If Kamen Rider X could fight using a staff like this, so could I." Ohsugi smiled, lightly tapping his hand with the staff. "Besides, X was the only Kamen Rider out of the Legendary Seven who had a physical weapon that's not physically equipped onto him…No offense, Joji."

"None taken," Joji replied.

Hana stared at everyone preparing their strategies before sharing a glance with Owner. The older man just smiled as he took a slice of grilled fish to his mouth.

"They will survive this battle, Hana," he told her. "They are strong, proud, resilient warriors. However, what they will face will prove that they are going to have to work harder to ensure the world's safety. Ophiuchus is growing stronger by the minute and try as they might, they are still leagues away from matching him with brute strength."

"What do we do, Owner?" asked Hana, staring at the bandages covering her arms. "What can we possibly do?"

"We pray, Hana," Owner whispered. "All we can do now is pray."

0-0-0-0-0-

Gentaro snarled when he saw Jiro and Yuri, Kengo nowhere to be found. He pinched the bridge of his nose with some irritation as he turned to the Serpents.

"He's nowhere to be found," said Yuri. "We looked everywhere, but his presence was masked."

"This isn't fair!" Jiro whined. "My beloved Apep is so alone, frightened, naked...he needs me like I need him!"

"We'll get him back," said Gentaro, walking back and forth. "In the meantime, we have to prepare for some 'unsuspecting' visitors."

"Great," Yuri muttered, letting out a yawn. "I'd rather be napping underneath the sun."

"You'll get your chance, Neroda. You're guarding our hostages."

"What?!" Yuri turned to the unconscious Misa and Yukina, both tied to the tree by a multitude of sleeping snakes. "I have to take care of those scandalous bitches? I'd rather drown in boiling magma."

Gentaro just smirked while Yuri rolled her eyes. Jiro noticed this and pouted, sticking his bottom lip out and folding his arms across his chest. Gentaro chuckled and approached his Serpent of the Obsidian Knives.

"You have the best mission of them all," he said. "You're coming with me to find Ryusei Sakuta and to destroy him once and for all."

"Really?" Jiro's eyes lit up like Christmas lights. "Are you serious?"

"I am. Ryusei's the only obstacle between you and the life you desire with Apep. Once we ensure that he is no longer on Earth, then we can focus on obtaining the powers of the Horoscope Generals and enact Master Ophiuchus's will. How does that sound?"

"I have goosebumps," Jiro replied, shivering in delight. "Wait for me, Apep. I'll be seeing you again."

"Get a room, you two." Yuri muttered. "Now."

"Come then," said Gentaro, beckoning to Jiro. "The day is young, and we have lots to do."

Jiro laughed as he took Gentaro's hand into his, the two vanishing in a portal of Cosmic Energy.

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

Ohsugi and Riderman were the first to be dropped off out of all of the passengers. When they reached the spot where the Circle Pillar stood, they found that it was already destroyed.

"Damn it," Ohsugi snarled, kicking a piece of rubble away. "They must've gotten to it while we slept."

"Evil never sleeps," Riderman answered. "But that doesn't mean we can give up. I can sense that trouble is on the horizon. We can't let our guard down."

"How persceptive of you," a feminine voice hissed. "But you've already let that guard down when you turned your back to me!"

Riderman heard something whoosh by and dodged at the last second. Ohsugi saw the item that nearly hit Riderman: it was a ponytail. He turned to see the last person he wanted to encounter in Kyoto: Sarina Sonada.

"Sonada-sensei," he whispered. Ohsugi cleared his throat as he stared at his former crush eye-to-eye. "So, you're finally awake."

"No thanks to you," Sonada replied, her ponytail lashing out everywhere. "I can't believe that the person who would finally free me from that awful prison was pathetic, little, you. How embarassing."

"The only thing that will be embarssing is when I knock some sense into your head," Ohsugi replied. "I know who you are, and I know what you're capable of. The thing is," he pointed the staff toward Sonada. "I don't think you know what I'm capable of."

"Oh, I know." Sonada smirked. "You're a pathetic, lowly teacher who was so ugly and hated by his peers that the only job you can muster was teaching snobbish little brats in a school like Amanogawa. Moreover, you don't have any student's respect at all—when was the last time a student was greatful for what you did for them? Who was the first person who was actually concerned when you were sick? Was there ever a time where a fellow teacher actually stated that they were jealous of how popular you were? Chuta Ohsugi, you are a pathetic excuse for a teacher. Accept it."

"I can accept a lot of things in my life," Ohsugi answered. "My parents dead, the bullies being absolute jerks, and my love life going down the toilet are some major ones. What I won't accept is you talking shit about me not having the respect of my students! Teachers are supposed to protect their students, and you haven't done any of that! Under that cute little facade of yours is a heart of ice. Underneath mine is a heart of a lion—one that will face all adversaries that come between me and the students of Amanogawa High! So I hate to go against your point of view but," He smirked. "You're the pathetic excuse for a teacher."

Sonada growled as a multitude of Dustards appeared in front of her, brandishing their steel pipes. Ohsugi and Riderman just stared at each other before nodding their heads.

"It's time for you to stop worshipping the devil, Sarina Sonada," said Riderman, preparing his mace-like Swing Arm onto his right hand. "We're about to end your delusions of grandeur now."

Sonada just pointed her finger as the Dustards charged toward their opponents. Ohsugi let out his own battle cry as he began fighting off the Dustards with the staff in hand. He dodged the swing of a pipe and swung his staff into another Dustards' stomach. With the hook for a left hand he slashed another Dustard down and then kicked another one on his left.

Riderman threw his Swing Arm toward his opponents, knockng three onto the ground. He dodged an attack to his left and swung the mace-like arm at the Dustard who attempted to hit him. He then performed a leg sweep, the Swing Arm and leg tripping up a multitude of Dustards and making them collide toward one another.

"Sonada!" Ohsugi screamed, using his staff to block the attack from a steel pipe. "I'm going to fight you next!"

"Tch," Sonada replied, sucking in her teeth. "Go ahead and try, Ohsugi. You lost before you even battled me."

0-0-0-0-0-

Tomoko held her snake skin high into the air, concentrating on the psychic energy around her. With enough focus, she was able to detect any item that radiated with large amounts of Cosmic Energy. Knowing that Fourze and the Astroswitches were composed of Cosmic Energy, anyone associated with him would also leave a similar Cosmic Energy trail for her to follow.

Unfortunately, there was too much Cosmic Energy to get a clear reading as to what was going on. Every time she concentrated, she felt a giant overload of information pulsing throughout the city. Finding Yukina and Misa's whereabouts was like trying to find a pair of matching snowflakes.

"I'm not getting a reading," Tomoko replied, rubbing her head. "I feel like I'm getting a migraine, actually."

"It must have something to do with the pillars," said Miu. "They were said to seal the Cosmic Energy in a pit underneath the city."

"You mean the pillars created some sort of magic seal, right?" asked Erin. "And by destroying all of them, the Cosmic Energy starts pouring out like oil into the ocean!"

"Precisely."

Yuki cradled her Hayabusa plushie in her arms. She was thankful that the eyes were attached via velcro, thus she didn't have to worry about resewing them back on. However, she still felt upset about her actions yesterday. It wasn't like her to be cursing and giggling over one's misfortune.

"Yuki," said Miu, seeing the look in her friend's eyes. "Are you worried about Yukina and what happened between the two of you yesterday?"

"Yeah," Yuki replied, nodding her head. "I mean, Yukina must've been suffering through grief about Gentaro's death. She was in total denial about it and couldn't see that she just had to continue life without him...just like we are."

"When people become controlled by their emotions, nothing ends well," said Tomoko. "When people do not see what they are doing, everyone suffers. Gentaro is suffering because we did not see what we could've done amd because he is too consumed on dying for Ryusei that he never gave himself the will to live."

"It's not your fault," said Erin. "You did the best you could, Tomoko. Be proud of what you were able to do. You could sense that something was wrong, even if no one else did. You have a great sixth sense for that sort of thing. "

"Erin's right," said Miu. "Speaking of keeping identities secret, did Ryusei ever show any of his martial arts skills prior to killing Gentaro?"

"Well, there was that one time that he landed a kick on Cygnus Zodiarts," said Tomoko. "And then he acted like a complete fool and fell on his butt."

"And prior to killing Gentaro, did he show any signs of emotion?"

"Yeah..." Tomoko gripped onto her snake skin. "I was used as a shield by Cygnus Zodiarts, and Ryusei could've used his attack to kill me. He didn't. He wanted to truly protect me from Cygnus."

"And we want to truly protect Japan from Ophiuchus and Principal Gamou," said Miu. "We have to find Yukina and Misa and free them before Gentaro has his way with them. Let's move out, Kamen Rider Club Girls!"

The others nodded their head as they began to race through the city.

0-0-0-0-0-0

Rocket On

With the Rocket Module on her right arm, Nadeshiko quickly flew toward the location of the Triangle Pillar. She descended onto the ground and observed her surroundings. There was no one in sight...for now.

The female Kamen Rider approached the pillar and placed a hand over it. She sensed Cosmic Energy sealed within, filling her with power. Yet at the same time, she felt lonely. After returning to Earth, she gathered all of the Cosmic Energy that she could find to give Gentaro a gift—the Clear Drill Switch. Then, knowing that she still pined for him, transformed herself into SOLU and landed on the moon, waiting for someone to find her. She waited until she could transform into her human form once more before going into the fight and was glad to be with people that she knew, even if it was only for a short time.

She needed to fight for Gentaro, so that Gentaro could return and that they'd be friends again.

"Gentaro..." Nadeshiko whispered. "Gentaro..."

"Sorry, Gentaro isn't here right now. But, I'm wiling to make you happy."

Nadeshiko turned around as Natsuji Kijima approached her, a paper fan in hand. His left arm was still a giant crab pincer, ready to pluck out any poor unfortunately soul that would happen to cross his path. Kijima just laughed.

"Well," he said. "I can't believe that a Kamen Rider like you would be handed to me on a silver platter. Get it? Because you're silver and..."

Winch On

The steel wire of the winch wrapped around Kijima's claw arm as Nadeshiko pulled him toward her. She then delved a punch to his chest as he fell onto the ground before placing her foot on his chest. With her right hand, she then inserted the Elec Switch into the far right slot.

Elec On

Nadeshiko's body was wrapped with electricity as her whole suit became gold. With a curved scimitar in hand, she placed it near Kijima's neck.

"Are you sure you want to kill me?" asked Kijima, raising his right hand in the air. "I mean, I'm just a regular teenage boy."

Nadeshiko's grip on the scimitar tightened.

"I mean, I have some information that you could definitely use regarding Gentaro," Kijima continued. "But...if you say no..." He laughed as he snapped his fingers.

Soon, a multitude of Dustards came into view, one of them punching Nadeshiko in the head. Nadeshiko quickly removed the Winch Astroswitch from the far left slot and replaced it for the Hammer Astroswitch.

Hammer On

Nadeshiko slammed her hammer hand down onto the ground, causing the ground to shake. The Dustards wobbled a bit before falling onto the ground, making them easy pickings for Nadeshiko to slice them in half with her scimitar. She spun around, using both hammer and electrified blade to dice the enemies into pieces. The Dustards continued their relentless assualt while Kijima stood up and laughed.

"This is entertainment!" He exclaimed. "I want in on the fun!

He rushed toward Nadeshiko as she was caught fighting three Dustards, using his pincer to clamp onto her right hand. Nadeshiko tried to smack him across the face wth the Hammer Module, but found Kijima blocking it by bringing his hand out. Rather than being hit by the hammer, the hammer bounced back and made Nadeshiko's body tingle in pain.

"Surprised?" he asked. "My body's been enhanced to withstand multiple blows. It'll be much harder for anyone to stop me now."

Nadeshiko tried landing a kick to his stomach, but it felt like kicking a wall. Frustrated, she tried pulling Kijima away from her, but the grip was too firm. It was like struggling against quicksand—the more she moved, the harder it was to escape!

"Aww," said Kijima. "It looks like you've been caught. Now, how's about time I..."

Nadeshiko shut him up with a blow to the head. He fell onto the ground unconscious, his pincer opening up to free her arm. She then returned to the multitude of Dustards ready for her to destroy, swiping them down with out a second thought.

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

Ecydsis smiled as he saw Kengo slowly waking up from his slumber. The poor boy, still dressed in his slave attire from the night before, slowly woke up to find his wrist and ankles tied to the bed posts. He looked in horror, struggling to get free.

"W-what's going on?" he asked. "Principal Hayami...what are you doing?"

"Principal Hayami is dead," Ecydsis hissed, running a hand down Kengo's chest. "I am Ecydsis, the Shed Skin Serpent. I found you so lost and confused, so I brought you here to get you back into shape. So calm down, Apep."

"My name's not Apep; it's Kengo Utahoshi! And I'm not a serpent, I'm a human being!"

"Really? Can you prove that?"

"If you let me out, I will!" Kengo continued to unbind himself from the ropes around his wrists and ankles. "Please! Someone! HELP!"

"No one can hear you scream," Ecydsis hissed, lifting his finger toward Kengo's throat. "The room has been enchanted to ensure no one barges in and interrupts our fun. I need you to be ready for Master Ophiuchus and the Serpent-bearer. You are one of his most important generals after all."

"Like hell I am!" Kengo snarled. "Kisaragi will break free! He'll save me! The Kamen Rider Club will rescue me!"

"If that little club will rescue you, why haven't they? Is it because they've forgotten all about you?"

"No! They're just...they're..."

"They're too busy going on with their own lives," Ecydsis hissed. "Without Gentaro, they no longer have to be associated with the likes of you. There's no Kamen Rider Club without the Kamen Rider, after all."

"That's not true!" Kengo exclaimed. "The Kamen Rider Club is named in honor of the Kamen Riders!"

"But aren't the Kamen Riders nothing but an urban legend?" Ecydsis ran a finger through Kengo's lips. "You have to stop lying to yourself, Apep. It's not like you to have such a silver tongue used against you."

"You're lying!" Kengo whimpered, hating how the school principal was dragging his finger over his own exposed body. "You're making me turn against the others!"

"Am I? Why, I hadn't noticed."

"I won't leave them!" Kengo exclaimed. "I'd never leave them!"

"But you already did, didn't you? Who was the one who escaped Aries Zodiarts wrath? Who was the one who didn't have to put on that School Wars play? Who was the one who wasn't tied up when Gentaro came to erase everyone's memories?"

"I-I didn't mean to purposefully leave them!" Kengo stammered. "Tachibana did it so I can save Gentaro and..."

"And what? You didn't save Gentaro—Master Ophiuchus did." Ecydsis smirked as he ran his hands through Kengo's hair. "Tachibana brought you to him so you can witness a miracle—Life after Death being brought by the Life Bringer himself."

"Ophiuchus has caused nothing but trouble!"

"How do you know that? You've been knocked unconscious for a week."

"Stop playing mind games with my head!" Kengo screamed. "I'm warning you!"

"But I have to, or else..." Ecydsis leaned close into Kengo's ear. "You'll be all alone."

It was those words that made Kengo quiet. His eyes widened in fear at the thought of being isolated from everyone else, unable to say anything, unable to see anyone rescuing him. He squeezed his eyes shut.

"No," he whispered. "No, you're lying! The Kamen Rider Club...Kazashiro, Daimonji, Nozama, JK, Yuki...my friends..."

"If they were your friends, why do you keep using their last names?"

"Because it's respectful! That's why!"

"You're being stubborn with me, Apep," Ecydsis said, shaking his head. "This won't do at all. Maybe I should take you into the white void once more and let you live the rest of your days in isolation, without anyone to talk to." He placed a hand over Kengo's forehead. "In fact, I think I'll do that right now."

Kengo gasped as he felt the hand fill his brain with electricity, making him scream with pain. Ecydsis just smiled as he added, "This will hurt just a bit. Any time you want to surrender, you know what to say."

Kengo's eyes rolled to the back of his head as Ecydsis stepped back. His breathing was shallow and the ropes binding him to the bed disappeared, making him collapse onto the bed with a thump. Still, he did not move, his mind not making connections to his body. Ecydsis smiled as he leaned toward Kengo's ear and whispered, "Serpens."

A white snake crawled up Ecydsis's throat before leaping onto Kengo's throat. It sank its fangs deep into the boy's neck before latching onto its tail. Then, Ecydsis placed two fingers over Kengo's forehead and whispered, "Microscopium."

His eyes began to glow as he soon found himself inside Kengo Utahoshi's mind, ready to see what made the boy tick.

0-0-0-0-0-

"Yoo-hoo! Ryusei!" Jiro crooned as the two explored the bamboo forest. "Come out, come out, wherever you are!"

"Calm down, Serpent of the Obsidian Knives," Gentaro hissed. "We don't want to draw too much attention to ourselves."

"I'm just so excited, Serpent-bearer," Jiro giggled. "Finally, we get to kill him! Then, we'll bring Apep back! Isn't that exciting?"

"It definitely is. Now, all we have to do is find where he's hiding."

"I'm right here."

Gentaro snarled as he saw Ryusei Sakuta approach them, dressed in black martial arts uniform. His eye twitched when he saw his rival pull out the Meteor Driver, wrapping it around his waist and tightening the hachimaki tied across his forehead.

"There you are," said Jiro, pulling out his dagger. "We've been waiting for you."

"So have I," Ryusei countered, his voice stoic. "My creator has told me that you must be eradicated immediately. I shall carry out his commands right now."

"My Master told me to devour your soul," Gentaro hissed, pulling out the Fourze Driver and wrapping it around his waist. "Seems like only one of us will succeed, right?"

"And that side will be us, Ryusei!" Jiro cackled. "You're going to pay for what you did!"

"Jiro Inseki, you are not my target," Ryusei narrowed his right eye. "You are just a plain and simplistic nuisance. Nothing more."

"Why that..." Jiro growled. "Serpent-bearer! Kill him!"

"With pleasure," Gentaro replied, flipping the tabs of the Fourze Driver down.

3...2...1!

"Henshin!" Gentaro cried, pulling the lever of the driver. A pillar of light wrapped around his body, transforming him into Kamen Rider Fourze once more. Ryusei just scoffed as he activated his Meteor Drive.

Meteor, on! Ready?

Ryusei crossed his arms and yelled, "Henshin!", swiping his hand across the black starry glove at the center of the driver. A beam of blue light surrounded him, transforming him into his Kamen Rider persona, Kamen Rider Meteor. Both Kamen Riders stared at one another while Jiro stepped back, preparing his blades.

"Serpent of Obsidian Knives," said Fourze. "Are you ready to fight?"

"I was born ready," Jiro answered back. "Let's do this man-to-man. Ryusei!"

"All is right in this world," Meteor retorted. "Because I shall decide its fate."

The three ran toward each other, each of them prepared to destroy the enemy in front of them. The battle had only begun.

Translation Notes:

Hachimaki-A white or red strip of cloth tied around the forehead used to symbolize perseverance and courage. Most of these have the red circle, symbolizing the Japanese flag, or motivational slogans.

Next time: Preparations for fights are still going on as Haruka and the Den-O Kamen Riders fight off against heavy hitters Leo and Virgo Zodiarts. Ecydsis is still worming his way into Kengo's mind, and breaking hom down for Ophiuchus's nefarious purpose. The day is still young as everyone is beginning to fight for their lives.

To be continued in XVII-"Macabre Theater"