Horseshoes and Hand-grenades
XVIII: 20-8-5-1-20-5-18/15-6/20-18-1-8-5-4-25
"History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce."
-Karl Marx
Ryusei Sakuta slowly woke up and turned to his side. There, he saw Tachibana feeling around his forehead. His eyes widened as he sat up.
"Tachibana!" he exclaimed. "What happened? Why am I here? What's going on?"
"Ryusei," Tachibana answered calmly. "Relax. I've been working on giving you some new 'upgrades' all night. Please show some consideration for me."
"Upgrades? Tachibana, what happened in Kyoto? The last I remember was this explosion and...and..." Ryusei placed a hand on his head. "Everything's so fuzzy right now...I can't remember what happened."
"Shun Daimonji has become a Serpent-bearer to the Serpent known as Vasuki. He used his abilities to gravely injure you in battle, his heart fueled with corruption and anger for what you did to Gentaro Kisaragi. You remember what he said back at the warehouse?"
A memory appeared in Ryusei's mind. Shun was in the Power Dizer when Gentaro was killed, and the college quarterback was about to tear Ryusei in half. The only reason he never got that chance was because Aries Zodiarts made him fall asleep before Shun could take two steps. Ryusei could remember the rage in Shun's voice as he prepared to strike—it was filled with disbelief and outrage.
"Shun owes everything to Gentaro," Tachibana continued. "Before meeting up with him, Shun was stuck under the teachings of Machiavelli on how to use everyone as pawns. However, his conscience made him feel guilty for everything that he did and through Gentaro's tears and heartfelt words, he changed. Shun is forever loyal to Gentaro, and it would not be illogical to assume that he'd follow Gentaro into the darkness."
Ryusei curled his hand as he saw Shun about to slay him with that pata in hand. The look in the quarterback's eyes confirmed Tachibana's theory: Shun wanted to kill him, plain and simple. "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth," was what Hammurabi said once.
"Who shall be the next to turn their backs to you?" asked Tachibana. "Will it be Miu, who stated that the Kamen Rider Club would never bow down to you? Will it be JK and his way of obtaining information using it as blackmail? Will it be Yuki, Gentaro's childhood friend whose heart you crushed into pieces? Or...will your heart be destroyed by the one known as Tomoko? The choice is yours and yours alone."
Ryusei stayed silent as Tachibana pulled back his sleeve, seeing the words now tattooed onto his right arm.
Machine Engine Terminal-Entity Of Rancor
"Tachibana," Ryusei whispered, running a finger down the arms. "W-what did you do to me? Why do I have these words on my arm?!"
"As you know, I am named after the ally of the original Kamen Riders," Tachibana began. "And like the original Kamen Riders, they were humans transformed into cyborgs. I'm sorry that I had to do this, but it was the only way I could save you and the Core Switch inside you. If the Zodiarts found the Core Switch within your decayed body, then the world would suffer."
"Tachibana," Ryusei shook his head and placed a hand on his head. "I...I don't know what's going on. I feel so weird inside...what's happening?" Tears fell down his face. "Something inside me is screaming to let loose. Why?"
Tachibana slipped something into Ryusei's ear, a blue earpiece in the shape of a blue meteor. Soon enough, Ryusei began to calm down and bowed his head, his eyes soon washed in a strange blue light.
"However," Tachibana continued. "While the original Kamen Riders were able to fight off the brainwashing program that were going to transform them into weapons of mass destruction, I highly doubt you'll be able to resist what I've given to you. I'm sorry it has to be this way, but for the sake of stopping Gamou and Ophiuchus, I shall do what needs to be done."
Tachibana waved a hand in front of Ryusei's face. Ryusei didn't respond, his eyes staring off at a distance while the earpiece played commands and entrancing music in his ears. A smile crept onto Ryusei's lips, signaling the end of the person he once was.
0-0-0-0-0-0-
Smoke/Spike On
A large forest green spiked cuff and a purple smoke machine materialized over Fourze's left and right legs respectively. The Smoke Module blew a giant puff of smoke that blinded Meteor, while he brought is left leg out for a kick, the Spike Module expanding when in contact with the enemy Kamen Rider. Meteor stepped back, hand on his chest.
"Nice one, Serpent-bearer!" Jiro laughed, brandishing his knives. "My turn!"
He jumped into the air, knives ready to pierce through Meteor's armor. However, Meteor turned at the last second, grabbing onto Jiro's wrist.
"Didn't think I couldn't hear, did you?" Meteor hissed. "Too late. I should kill you now to make it easier on you—"
Fire/Giantfoot On
Meteor turned around as he was thrown back by a large spectral boot to the face. Fourze, transformed into Fire States and the Giantfoot module replacing the Smoke module, pulled the trigger on his Hee-Hack Gun as he began to spew fire toward the knocked down Kamen Rider. Meteor rolled out of the way, activating the Meteor Galaxy device strapped to his right wrist.
Saturn! Ready?
Meteor ducked another attempt to strike him in the face with the Giantfoot Module as he scanned his finger on the Meteor Galaxy's touch panel.
Okay, Saturn!
A miniature version of the planet of Saturn hovered in front of Meteor's hand. With a diagonal slash, a multitude of large purple rings flew toward Fourze. Fourze activated a switch on the far left of the driver.
Shield On
A shield in the shape of a rocket materialized on his left arm, blocking many of the deadly discs. Fourze kicked his foot in the air, aiming another spectral boot to Meteor's face. Jiro was also on the move, throwing his knives to back Meteor into a corner. Meteor moved the miniature Saturn to the side, sending five rings toward his former friend. Jiro rolled out of the way, summoning another dagger into his hands.
"You are going to pay for what you've done to me!" he screamed. "You killed the Serpent-bearer! You caused all of this suffering, you heartless bastard!"
"I did it for you," Meteor snarled. "You should be thankful that I decided to even let you live, Jiro!"
"But to use someone else as a sacrifice? Someone had to die in the end, so you should've just let me die in peace!" Jiro's grip on his dagger tightened. "That would've saved everyone else so much trouble."
Meteor scoffed as he switched onto another lever onto the Meteor Galaxy, the Saturn on his hand disappearing.
Jupiter! Ready?
"Oh no you don't!" Fourze snarled, deactivating the Shield Astroswitch. The Shield Module vanished as he inserted a new switch to the left slot. "You're not going to get away easily."
Hammer On
Fourze slammed the hammer hand down onto the ground, causing the earth to shake. Meteor wobbled a bit as he worked to maintain his balance, pressing onto the Meteor Galaxy's scanner.
Okay, Jupiter!
A miniature version of Jupiter appeared over Meteor's hands as he jumped into the air. Jiro began to roll out of the way, but Meteor grabbed onto his wrist, immobilizing him.
"Take this and DIE FOR ME!" Meteor screamed, just as the Jupiter in his hand punched him in the heart.
0-0-0-0-0-
Nadeshiko panted for breath as she saw the last of the Dustards vanish. The pillar stood tall as Kijima slowly stood up, that evil smirk on his face. From beneath her helm, the female Kamen Rider glared at the Zodiarts of the Crab.
"My, my." said Kijima. "Don't look so crabby. You defeated the Dustards, didn't you?"
Nadeshiko stayed silent as she pressed onto the Astroswitch on the far right slot.
Rocket On
The signature orange Rocket Module appeared on Nadeshiko's right arm. She then charged toward Kijima and soon rose into the sky, grabbing onto Kijima's human hand. Kijima looked down, seeing the world growing smaller with each passing second. He soon realized what he was going up against.
"Um," Kijima began. "Wouldn't it be nice for us to be back on solid ground? I'm a bit afraid of heights."
"...Okay."
Nadeshiko let go of her grip and sent Kijima falling back down to Earth, screaming all the way. She then replaced her Hammer Astroswitch for the Winch Astroswitch.
Winch On
The light green winch mounted onto her left arm which she pointed at Kijima. The hook descended and hooked onto Kijima's crab-claw arm, stopping his descent. The Zodiarts of the Crab shakily looked up as Nadeshiko waved back at him.
"You bitch!" Kijima snarled. "You could've killed me, you know that?!"
Nadeshiko replied with a blow kiss as she descended back to the ground.
0-0-0-0-0-
Daisuke watched the young boys and girls clamor around him as he pretended to fight off an imaginary Beastman. The children looked in awe as Daisuke recalled his adventures in the past, and how he defeated the monsters in his first trip to Japan. He replicated the cry of the Mole Beastman and swiped his hands into the air as if he was defeating one of his enemies. It was times like this that seemed as if nothing was wrong.
"AHHH!"
Until Daisuke saw a young child screaming in fear as two figures approached him. He narrowed his eyes as he placed a hand over the Gigi Armlet.
"Hayami," Daisuke snarled. "Utahoshi! Why are you here?"
"Hayami?" Ecdysis smiled. "Kouhei Hayami is dead, and so is Kengo Utahoshi. We are Ecdysis and Apep now."
"If you don't want any of these little darlings killed," Kengo's hand was wrapped in purple flames. "Step out of the way and let us destroy that pillar."
"Never!" Daisuke growled. "I won't let you."
Ecdysis snapped his fingers as a swarm of Dustards appeared, each of them grabbing onto a child. Daisuke's eye began to twitch in fury. If there was anything that pissed him off more than anything was a villain harming a child in front of him. That was something that would not do.
"Times ticking, wild man," said Kengo, raising his hand into the air. "Will you let any of these children suffer or…"
A-MA-ZON!
Daisuke let out a roar as he transformed into Kamen Rider Amazon. Without hesitating, he leapt onto a Dustard and began hacking away at it with his finned gloves. Another one approached him with its staff in hand, but Amazon rolled out of the way before performing a kick-back, knocking another Dustard off of its feet. Amazon turned his glare toward Ecydysis and Kengo before proceeding to ripping a Dustard's arm off before beating four others with that same arm.
"He'll wear himself out eventually," Ecdysis stated calmly, pulling out the Libra Horoscope Switch. "By then, we'll be ready."
As more and more Dustards were destroyed, Amazon slowly breathed in the Cosmic Energy they left behind. The Kamen Rider let out another roar as he began to punch the Dustards into oblivion, feeling the Cosmic Energy empowering him. It felt so good to tear into these monsters and see them shiver with fear. Amazon grinned beneath his reptile-like helm as he continued to fight.
0-0-0-0-0-0-
"DRILL ARM!"
Riderman prepared the large drill on his right arm as he stabbed three Dustards in the chest. He punched another one coming toward his left before stabbing a second one in the stomach, seeing its body twist in pain before exploding into a cloud of Cosmic Energy. Moving quick, Riderman somersaulted before stabbing another in the back.
"Ohsugi!" Riderman cried, seeing the geography teacher still in his battle. "How are you doing?"
"Fine," Ohsugi replied, jumping out of the way from Sonada's ponytail. "That ponytail thing is really annoying me though."
"I thought you liked girls with ponytails," Sonada replied with a snarl. "Make up your mind you perverted fool!"
Ohsugi ducked another attack as he saw his options. He only had one day of training, his hook arm was shattered, his helmet was split into pieces, his slipper armor probably wouldn't protect him if the stinger scratched him somewhere other than his chest and the only other tool at his disposal was his finned hand. If anyone other than him was in this situation, they would've surrendered immediately...but he wasn't them at all.
Placing a hand over his heart, Ohsugi took a deep breath. He then momentarily looked down, noticing something interesting. The SOLU didn't affect the slippers at all—it only poured into the foam board that the slippers were glued to. In fact, he thought he saw velcro attaching the...
His thoughts were interrupted when he saw Sonada land a kick to his jaw. He fell onto the ground, hand over his jaw and hoping that the kick didn't knock anything loose. Sonada smiled as her stinger ponytail was close to his neck.
"I hate that it has to end this way," she smirked. "I thought you'd be an easier kill than this."
"I hate that I don't live to your expectations," Ohsugi replied, slowly standing up. "Do I at least get my last words?"
"Trying to go out with a bang? Fine. I'll give you a chance to sputter out like a sparkler."
"Good. Now, think fast!"
Ohsugi pulled two slippers out of his armor and tossed it at Sonada's face. Sonada scoffed as the ponytail swatted the slippers aside, before finding Ohsugi rushing in a third slipper, slipping the ponytail through it and tugging on it with all of his might. Sonada began to scream as she felt her hair being ripped out of her scalp!
"What trickery is this?!" she screamed. "What are you doing to me?"
"Giving you the slip," Ohsugi replied. He raised his left hand into the air. "OHSUGI SETSUDAN!"
The fins of the glove grew as he performed a karate chop on the ponytail. Ohsugi sliced through Sonda's hair like a knife through rice paper, the ponytail dropping onto the ground and flopping like a fish. Sonada staggered back, touching where Ohsugi sliced her hair clean off.
"My hair!" she exclaimed, seeing Ohsugi slapping the stinger end with the slipper in hand. "What have you done?!"
"I just exploited your weakness," Ohsugi smirked. "You spent so much time on your hair, didn't you? That was the only super power you had, Sonada. Without that, you have nothing. And you hate being nothing, don't you?"
"Don't you ever lump me in the same category as you, Chuta Ohsugi!" Sonada snarled. "I will never be you!"
"And I never want to be you, so we're even!" Ohsugi cracked his knuckles as he approached his former crush. "However, I think I know what you've become. You've become an arrogant bitch just like the ones who bugged you in your High School years. Without anyone to help you and Principal Hayami by your side, he transformed your sorrow into rage and hatred. You became a being filled with spite and transformed from a cute little 'puppy' to a backstabbing scorpion. You hid behind that sweet little persona of yours, waiting for the right time to poison students' minds and transform them into Zodiarts. Then I suppose Karma got to you once Gentaro kicked your ass hard enough that you were sent to the Dark Nebula. You got what was coming to you, Sonada. Just be lucky that I'm a nice enough guy to bring you back down to Earth."
Sonada soon realized what was going on as she looked all around her. Riderman was completely decimating the Dustards with ease and her body was becoming weak. She had been fed nothing but Cosmic Energy ever since she was in stasis, and its effects were slowly going away. Compared to Ohsugi, she was weaker than a newborn baby.
"Please Chuta," Sonada stepped back, her hands clasped in prayer. "I beg of you, don't do this! Don't hurt me! I didn't mean to be such a monster to those lovely students! I didn't mean to change them into monsters, it was my job! And I didn't mean to say all those mean words about you! I'm sorry!"
Ohsugi narrowed his eyes, shook his head, and said, "No, you're not."
The last thing Sarina Sonada saw just before everything went black was Ohsugi's fist punching her right in the face.
0-0-0-0-0-0
Magic Hand On
Just as Meteor was about to deliver the blow that would end Jiro's life (once more), he was stopped by a large pincher grabbing onto his arm. He turned around, seeing Fourze returning to his original white Base States, a large magenta rotoscoping hand attached to his right arm. Fourze wagged a finger at his enemy.
"Bad boy," he said. "Looks like you need to be punished."
With a flick of his wrist, Meteor was thrown back into the air, screaming all the way. Fourze turned around, pulling out the Magic Hand and Shield Astroswitches. He then pulled out the N/S Magphone and splitting it into its two Astroswitches, inserting them into the now empty far right and left slots of the Fourze Driver.
N/S Magnet On
With two beams of magnetic energy surrounding him, Fourze transformed into his Magnet States and pulled the lever. The two MagCannons connected into one large horseshoe magnet.
Limit Break!
"RIDER ELECTROGMAGNETIC BOMBER!" Fourze yelled, firing two beams of electromagnetic energy at the falling Kamen Rider. Meteor let out a scream as he was hit with the attack, a large explosion enveloping him. Jiro limped toward Fourze with a snarl.
"No fair!" he whined. "I wanted to do that, Serpent-bearer!"
"You'll get your chance," Fourze answered. "After all, we can mutilate his corpse all we want now. There's no way that he was able to survive that."
Jiro laughed as he and Fourze began to approach the explosion. Then, a weight held by a chain wrapped around Fourze's wrist. Before Fourze even had a chance to react, he was pulled toward the explosion and was face to face with Kamen Rider Meteor.
"Meteor," Fourze snarled. "How did you survive?"
Meteor, holding a pair of black and red nunchucks, smirked as he pulled out an Astroswitch. Its topper was a red and black pinwheel that he lightly flicked with a finger.
"I'm stronger than I appear to be," Meteor answered, replacing the Meteor Astroswitch in the Meteor Driver for his new red and black one. "I hope you like the show I prepared for you today. I'm going to be painting the town red when I'm done with you."
Meteor Impact! Ready?
Next time: Meteor retaliates against his enemies with his new Meteor Impact mode. Meanwhile, the Kamen Rider Club Girls are ending their fight with Yuri, Haruka and the Den-O Kamen Riders try something new, and Ecydsis and Kengo learn what happens when you make Amazon mad.
To be continued in, XIX-"Tragedy Day"