Horseshoes and Hand-grenades
XXII: 19-5-1/15-6/4-1-18-11-13-5-19-19
"Time and tide will wait for no man, saith the adage. But all men have to wait for time and tide."
-Charles Dickens
When Shun Daimonji woke up, he found himself in an empty void of darkness. If he wasn't reeling from having his neck sliced off, he would've questioned whether or not the darkness was the waiting room for souls ready to be judged. From what he was doing the past few months, that should've been enough to give him entry into heaven, right?
"Is anyone there?" he asked, looking around. "Hello? Can anyone hear me?"
"I can..." a voice hissed in the darkness.
Shun turned as a pair of large, yellow eyes staring back at him. He stepped back as a white serpent materialized from the darkness, decorated with sapphires and turquoise stones. On the serpent's forehead was a bright blue sapphire.
"A serpent?" Shun gasped. "No...you're with Ophiuchus, aren't you?"
"Ophiuchus? I have not heard that name for quite some time." The serpent circled Shun. "I go by a simple name: Vasuki, the Tethering Serpent."
"Okay then..."
"I saw your death. That man can be so brutal when it comes to killing. I wonder if he had fun killing you."
Shun's arm trembled in rage. To see the face of the man who started all of this mess while he was unable to do anything made him want to scream. He could've prevented Ryusei from killing Gentaro that day, but all he did was stand there in disbelief and shock. Why would Ryusei do that? Didn't he and the rest of the Kamen Rider Club save him from Kijima stealing his soul? Weren't they friends?
No...Ryusei was just using the Kamen Rider Club for his own benefits, and the Kamen Rider Club believed him all the way to the end. That was the most important thing. Why Ryusei would ally with the enemy was inexcusable. He had to be stopped.
"I see the anger in your eyes, young one," said Vasuki. "You wish to seek peace in your soul for what has happened."
"You don't even know the half of it," Shun snarled. "Ryusei had the choice not to kill Gentaro! He hesitated, I saw it! But no...he did it anyway! He knew that killing Gentaro was wrong, but he still did it either way! And I couldn't stop it! I just did nothing! I can't save anyone!" He dropped to his knees and felt the tears fall down his face. "I can't do anything..."
"You did your best to protect your queen from harm, and that is all." said Vasuki. "Everything that you did was in your own power, nothing more."
"It's not enough," Shun clenched his hands. "I need more power! I want to protect my friends! How am I supposed to do that when I'm dead?!"
"If you want," Vasuki slightly hesitated, waiting to see Shun's respone to his words. "I can give you what you truly desire."
"But..." Shun turned to Vasuki. "You're a Serpent. Serpents are known to be deceptive. Even the tiniest grain of truth can hold a thousand lies."
"How do you know that I'm one of the more honest ones? Maybe I can give you a blessing, or maybe I'm the one to send you to the great beyond. What would you prefer?"
Shun narrowed his eyes as Vasuki continued to eye him, anticipating the teenager's next move. Shun knew that this was risky, and that he would most likely be offering his soul to a demon, but what other choice did he have? Miu was probably on her way to be Ryusei's next kill while he pondered on what to do.
Miu...as long as she could be safe, then that was all right. If he loved her, but she never reciprocated his feelings, then so be it. Miu would at least live to find another soulmate, but she would always be his.
Shun dropped to his knees and bowed to Vasuki. Without any ounce of fear or doubt in his mind, he spoke.
"Vasuki," he said. "Make a contract with me. I wish to become your Serpent-bearer."
0-0-0-0-0-
When Ryutaros fired his gun, no one was sure what was going through his mind when he did. All they know, was that the bullet pierced through Rod Den-O's armor and the blue Kamen Rider fell to the ground. When the armor faded away, all that was left was an unconscious Shun Daimonji.
"You little brat!" Momotaros screamed. "What the hell was that for?!"
"Trust me on this," said Ryutaros. "This will be all that we need."
Urataros appeared in his sandy form near Shun, a cross look on the Turtle Imagin's face.
"Warn me before you do that next time!" said Urataros. "Didn't you know that I'm pretty much the only thing that protects Shun from Vasuki's darkness?"
"What do you mean by that?" asked Sieg. "What's going..."
Suddenly, Shun's eyes opened and he sat up. A large white serpent emerged from his back and rose into the air, staring deep into Virgo Zodiarts' eyes. Shun slowly stood up, his hands covered by his trust pata blades, and the sapphire bindi appearing on his forehead.
"Vasuki," Kintaros whispered, still dangling from Rod Den-O's fishing pole. "Ryutaros, what have you done?!"
"He'll take care of the bird lady, and then we can help Haruka-sensei!" Ryutaros answered. "Trust me on this! This will work out!"
"You're the Serpent who resides in this boy's body, aren't you?" the Zodiarts of the Maiden asked. "Why did you come for him?"
"He wished for my help," Vasuki answered calmly. "Now he has the power to ensure victory, even if his own soul will be given to Lord Shiva in the end."
"Shiva?!" Sieg exclaimed. "The Bringer of the World's End? Shun, why?"
"..." Shun replied with a glare as he tossed his blade toward the White Kabuki Dustard, piercing its heart and fading away into Cosmic Energy. He then sliced the fishing line that held Sword and Axe Den-O clinging onto Virgo Zodiarts. The two fell onto the ground in pain.
"BASTARD!" Momotaros screamed, shaking Shun back and forth. "What right do you have in doing that?!"
"If you value your life, I suggest you help her," said Shun, pointing his blade at Haruka. The female teacher was at the losing end in the battle against Leo Zodiarts, her katana flying out of her hands and her being repeatedly punched in the gut by the Zodiarts of the Lion. "She won't last long."
"We have to help her!" cried Ryutaros, removing the Liner Belt and letting his armor fade away. "Everyone, let's go!"
The other Imagins nodded in agreement, with Momotaros, Kintaros and Sieg also removing their belts, leaving Chosuke, Motoyama and Norio.
JK tossed the Liner Belt aside as he turned to Shun. Shun's glazed over eyes didn't shown any remorse, happiness, sorrow or any other emotions associated with his former humanity. Still, it didn't bother JK.
"Shun," he whispered. "I don't care that you're a Serpent-bearer or not. You're still a good friend and member of the Kamen Rider Club. Right now, end this madness! This monster in front of us is causing so much suffering! Give it what it deserves!"
"We'll take care of those Zodiarts," said Chosuke.
"Interesting," Vasuki noted. "It seems that I have much to learn about humans. If only that old senile guard could do the same...Serpent-bearer, we have work to do."
Shun nodded his head as Vasuki wrapped around his body, changing his clothes into a long white cloak with gold trim. Virgo Zodiarts snarled and brought her axe down onto the Serpent-bearer's head, only to be blocked by a dark blue blade.
"Everyone!" said Shun. "Get to safety! I sense dark things coming!"
"But where do we go?" asked Norio.
"Anywhere! I sense Ophiuchus's presence—he's summoning something powerful! Head to the North Pillar!"
"You heard him!" said Chosuke. "Let's go!"
JK, Motoyama and Norio nodded their heads as they began to run toward their destination. Shun turned his gaze back at Virgo as the pink-haired Zodiarts unfurled her mighty wings.
"This ends here!" she cried. "I shall not have anymore Serpents interfering with my master's plans."
"Same goes for you damned Zodiarts," Shun snarled. "You're going to rue the day that you came into my life!"
0-0-0-0-0-
"This is the end for you, Haruka Utsugi," Leo Zodiarts growled. "Why Gamou decided to hire you, I may never know."
"Maybe it's because I'm actually sane, like normal people!" Haruka coughed, which earned her a slap across the face. She still glared at her opponent. "Is that all you got?"
"Haruka-sensei!" cried Ryutaros. "Hang on, we're coming!"
Haruka turned as the ghostly forms of five Imagins ran toward her. Her eyes widened as they began to enter her body, giving her a suit of black and silver armor encasing her from head to toe.
"Eh?" She thought to herself. "What's going on here?!"
"It's all right, Haruka-sensei!" chimed Ryutaros. "We're giving you our power!"
"We'll make that pussy cat cry!" said Kintaros.
"I'm sick of waiting!" Momotaros snapped. "Let's start the party now!"
Surrounding Haruka's body were different pieces of armor: She soon gained Sword Den-O's faceplate and chest armor, and both Rod Den-O and Axe Den-O's faceplates on her shoulders. Gun Den-O's faceplate appeared on her chest, and on the back was a pair of cyan and yellow wings. The red 'eyes' of Sword Den-O's faceplate split in half, revealing a new pair of bright orange eyes. Instead of Haruka Utsugi, female teacher of Amanogawa High, there stood Kamen Rider Den-O: Super Climax Form.
"This...is amazing!" Haruka exclaimed, looking at her hands. "I feel like a superhero!"
"Who gives a shit?" Leo Zodiarts snarled. He immediately ran toward her side with his super speed. "I'm still going to grind you into dust!"
Super Climax Den-O looked up, raising her foot into the air to block an oncoming punch. Leo Zodiarts tried another punch, but this time Super Climax Den-O performed a round-house kick that knocked him across the head.
"I wonder what else I can do?" asked Haruka, picking up her fallen katana. "This is going to be fun!"
The Zodiarts of the Lion let out a powerful roar that nearly knocked Super Climax Den-O off of its feet. The wings on her back began to glow as she rose into the air. Then, she began to descend, katana in hand.
"Super Climax Slash!" Haruka replied, bringing down the katana across her opponent's chest. The Zodiarts screamed as he was engulfed in an explosion. When it died down, all that was left was an unconscious Ko Tatsugami and the Leo Zodiarts Switch in his hand.
Super Climax Den-O picked up the Zodiarts Switch and tossed it into the air. Her katana began to glow with energy as the Switch began to descend. With a swipe of the blade, the switch disintegrated into Cosmic Energy. Now, there was one less Zodiarts to deal with.
0-0-0-0-0-
Yuki didn't know where she was, but she didn't like the idea of Misa and Yukina cackling and mimicking her pathetic cries of "Stop!" in front of her face. If she could just cry out for help, then things would be better...she hoped.
"Look at her," said Misa. "I think this girl needs an attitude adjustment, what do you think?"
"Agreed!" Yukina giggled. "She tells me that I can't get any friends, but how many actually like her for her love of space? Remember that stupid costume at Queen's Festival?"
"What the fuck was up with that? She looked like she was a little kid. Oh wait, she is one!"
Yuki grit her teeth as she tried her hardest to ignore the girls' laughter. The only thoughts on her mind were to escape and to meet up with the other Kamen Rider Club members. She could only hope that they were doing all right.
"I have an idea," said Misa. She pulled her hand out and said, "Phoenix!"
A small phoenix flew toward Yuki, melting the icy shell with its fiery feathers. It faded away once the ice evaporated into steam. Yuki dropped to her knees, her teeth chattering from being in the ice for that long.
"You won," she stated. "I can't fight against you two. Just kill me. I don't deserve to live."
"Oh, you're not getting away that easily!" Misa growled, kicking Yuki in the stomach. Yuki gasped and fell onto her back in pain. "You little bitch! You're just a vapid, little slut who is powerless against us! But, we're willing to give you something to change that."
"What could that be?" Yuki asked, narrowing her eyes. Her eyes widened when she saw Yukina place something into her hands: it was a Zodiarts Switch. Yukina then placed a hand over Yuki's own, preparing to activate the Switch any time she wanted.
"Become a Zodiarts, Yuki Jojima," she hissed. "Or you'll suffer a fate worse than death."
Yuki held her breath as she weighed her options—she had none. If she refused, then she'd be killed and her body would become another vessel for a Serpent. If she accepted, that meant she would become one of the same monsters that were the cause of all of this madness. Either way, it meant trouble.
However, she wanted to show those two that she could fight. Yuki Jojima had stayed in the sidelines for too long now. She had to make things right by joining in the fray, even if it meant killing her in the end.
She pushed Yukina out of the way and pressed onto the Zodiarts Switch in her hand. Then, she was covered in a cloud of Cosmic Energy.
0-0-0-0-0-
Materializing behind Kamen Rider Fourze was a large black hole. It sucked the Kamen Rider inside before closing. Then, in a storm of darkness and lightning, the new Kamen Rider Fourze appeared.
Kamen Rider Meteor stepped back as he saw Kamen Rider Fourze: Void States. Fourze's white armor was black with white criss-crossing lines on his stomach. His orange eyes were also white and on his shoulders were navy blue shoulder pads with large spikes glued onto them. In his hand was a scepter with a silver snake wrapped around it.
Jiro lifted his gaze and gasped. To him, his master was a divine figure of beauty, ready to destroy the wicked for their crimes.
Ryusei Sakuta, Fourze began. I should thank you for all you have done. For your idiocy, you brought forth a power that I should've used a long time ago: the power of anger and revenge. With my plan in motion, the Serpents shall take back what is theirs, and King Ouroboros will awaken once more!
"I can still beat you!" Meteor cried, rushing toward his rival. Fourze stood still as Meteor pulled his arm back, preparing to punch him in the chest. Meteor brought the arm forward, his fist hitting Gentaro's heart. Unfortunately, there was no effect.
That tickled. Fourze chuckled. Let me show you a real punch, sweetheart.
His hand was covered in black Cosmic Energy. He pulled it back and punched Meteor in the heart, sending him flying back into a grove of bamboo. Fourze began to slowly prowl his way toward his prey, ready to slice him in two.
"Serpent-bearer!" cried Jiro, standing up. "Can I play with his remains once you've finished ripping him open?"
Of course, Said Fourze. But right now, I just want a little fun with my dearest 'friend'. After all, friends play lots of games together, don't they?
Meteor slowly stood up as he saw Fourze preparing to punch his lights out once more. He just knew that the first punch was only the worst that was yet to come. The only thing he did know was that he wasn't going to go down without a fight. He had a job to do: defeat Fourze and put an end to this madness once and for all. He'd either accomplish it or die trying.
"Your fate is mine to decide," Meteor hissed, preparing his nunchucks for another round. "Come, Fourze! I'll kill you where you stand!"
Fourze smirked as he began to prepare the new set of Astroswitches for the next round.
Next time: Riderman and Amazon are outmatched in their 2 vs 3 match, the Kamen Rider Girls console a confused Yuri Kuramochi, Yuki becomes a Zodiarts, and Shun clips the wings of the Virgo Zodiarts for the time being. Still, more and more darkness is coming, a sure sign that things are going from bad to worse.
To be continued in, XXIII "Darkness at Noon"