Horseshoes and Hand-grenades
XXV: 4-5-13-15-14-/4-1-25-19
"Whenever a thing is done for the first time, it releases a little demon."
-Emily Dickinson
Haruka Utsugi panted for breath as she sat on a nearby bench. She was still recovering from briefly becoming a Kamen Rider/host for five Imagins, not to mention the beating that Leo Zodiarts gave her, but she knew that she couldn't rest. She couldn't rest until the enemy was pushed back far enough that the group can finally relax after what had only been less than two days of battle.
"Haruka-sensei!" said Ryutaros, hopping toward the teacher's side. "Are you going to be all right?"
"I'll be fine," Haruka replied, sheathing her katana. "Although something's been bugging me."
"What would that be?" asked Kintaros, arms folded across his chest.
"Those Horoscope Switches, despite giving immense power to those who can become Horoscope Zodiarts, are very fragile." Haruka stood up and began to pace. "That would explain why Gamou would want to keep them so closely, plus given the fact that it's taken him this long to find other Horoscopes, he'd want to ensure that they were entrusted to the right people. Still, this doesn't tell us what he wants all twelve of them for."
"Who cares?" Momotaros exclaimed. "As long as those guys never get back on their feet, I don't mind. Especially after that pink-haired one just teleported out of sight and..."
"Wait a minute," Haruka stopped pacing and turned to the Imagin. "The pillars! Virgo is probably heading toward one of the pillars so she can destroy it!"
"And that will be one step closer to whatever plans that chairman wants!" said Urataros. "But why are those pillars important?"
"Because they seal off a large pool of Cosmic Energy," someone answered.
Everyone turned around to see Shun approaching them, hand around his neck and gently touching the scar left from Ryusei slicing his neck. For the moment, he was not dressed in his attire as a Serpent-bearer, but the emotions on his face told them that he was still reeling from what he would have to go through in the future.
"Vasuki told me this," Shun continued. "He stated that one of the Serpents' greatest warriors, Orochi, had his body broken down into Cosmic Energy and the people created the seal so the energy could not cause the destruction of the world. If all four seals are ever broken, then the Cosmic Energy that was once Orochi can be used to enhance the power of all those who consume it."
"How many pillars are left?" asked Sieg.
"Two," said Shun. "The ones from the North and South remain...for now."
"The South was the one Nadeshiko was supposed to be guarding," said Haruka. "We should check and see whether or not it's still standing."
"But it'll take forever to get there!" Ryutaros exclaimed. "The bird-lady would've destroyed the pillar by then!"
"Vasuki can easily teleport you there," Shun answered. "As the Tethering Serpent, he is able to create portals from one area to another. He knows where the pillar lies, and will take you there so you can stop this menace."
"Why is he so keen on helping us?" asked Haruka, raising an eyebrow. "If you think about it, he could easily go and side with Ophiuchus and Gentaro and you'd be our enemy."
"If he was your enemy, you would be dead by now," Shun replied back. "Now, watch closely."
He closed his eyes as a large white serpent emerged from his back. Vasuki replied with a low hiss before opening his mouth, expelling a strange mist in the air. The mist transformed into a shimmering mirror, showing the pillar standing tall...for now.
"Thank you, Vasuki," said Haruka. "We appreciate this offer."
"The only reason I am doing this is because Ophiuchus's plans will interfere with Lord Shiva's wishes." Vasuki replied. "What happens to you is nothing of my concern. Just see to it that you don't die immediately after setting foot in one of my portals, all right?"
"We'll make sure of that," said Kintaros, cracking his neck. "For now, we must part. Do what you need to do."
Vasuki just stayed quiet as he faded away. Haruka pointed toward the portal as she and the five Imagins hopped into it. Ryutaros was the last to go, waving good-bye to Shun as he did, before the portal disappeared with a small 'pop'. Shun stared at the empty space before setting his gaze toward the unconscious Ko Tatsugami. He clenched his fist—he could kill Tatsugami and be rid of one less Horoscopes Zodiart, but what would that accomplish? Gentaro would probably resurrect him, and there would be no way of stopping Tatsugami if he was already dead. It might accidentally make things worse.
"You live..." Shun snarled at Tatsumgai. "Vasuki, take me to her."
"You mean that sweet little girl whose heart you crushed into a million pieces?" Vasuki whispered. "Why?"
"Because I have business to take care of," Shun closed his eyes. "It regards our relationship in the future."
0-0-0-0-0-
Amazon jumped out of the way just as Libra Zodiarts struck another bolt of lightning at him. The savage Kamen Rider looked at his two opponents and then back at the pillar—he knew that it was only a matter of time until the pillar was destroyed, but he had to stall for time! Unfortunately, he felt himself drained of energy. The Cosmic Energy he absorbed was fading away, and the Gigi Armlet wasn't going to be repairing his wounds until after he was tossed around. So, all he could do was stand there as both Libra Zodiarts and Kengo were preparing their strongest spells to kill him once and for all.
"This little game of cat and mouse has gone on long enough," Libra Zodiarts sneered. "Will you do the honors, my son?"
"Gladly, father," Kengo replied, summoning another purple fireball into his hands. His eyes were filled with insane glee as he added, "I'm going to love seeing you squirm, Amazon! This is going to be so much fun!"
Amazon dropped to his knees, panting for breath as he knew that he wasn't going to be able to fight much longer. He saw the fireball about to incinerate him...
Only to be stopped by someone wielding a large hammer in their hands and batted it away as if it was a fly. The fireball disintegrated into a small puff of smoke when that happened. Kengo snarled, seeing someone stopping him from killing someone.
"WHO ARE YOU?!" he said, his eyes glowing in anger. "EXPLAIN YOURSELF!"
Amazon looked up, seeing the back of the person who saved him. He was dressed in a blue denim jacket and black pants, wielding a large hammer decorated with runes on its face. For some odd reason, he could sense a strange aura radiating off of the boy, one that said that he was someone of great importance.
"How dare you raise that tone of voice to me, Apep," the boy began. "You should know better than to talk back to Prince Jormungandr."
"Prince?" the Zodiarts of the Scales repeated. He slowly stepped back in fear. "How can that be? You were lost in the struggle! We all saw it with our own eyes!"
"I survived, and I found a host that could accept me. And now I am here to ensure that you do not win in this struggle." Jormungandr narrowed his eyes and added. "That, I decree through my Vessel, Kaizou Jingu."
"JK?" Kengo sneered. "That loser? He couldn't even punch his way out of a paper bag. That sniveling little coward...only good for info but not enough to kick someone's ass when it comes to a..."
Jormungandr swung the hammer toward Kengo's stomach, knocking the air out of him as he fell to the ground with a sickening thud. He then raced toward Libra Zodiarts, preparing to slam his powerful weapon down onto the monster's skull. The Zodiarts brought his staff into the air to block the hammer, but the hammer bent the staff into two, and Jormungandr brought the hammer down on Libra's head, knocking him out for the count. Amazon kept silent as the stranger turned to face him, the hammer still in his hand.
"I hope they meant you no harm," Jormungandr began, his voice holding the air of someone of importance. "I had no idea that that treacherous father and son duo were picking on someone like you."
Amazon panted for breath as the Gigi Armlet began to glow. His armor faded away, revealing a very exhausted Daisuke Yamamoto. Daisuke lifted his head as he approached the strange person, clasping his hands to create his special friendship signal.
"Oh, what is this?" asked Jormungandr, seeing Daisuke's special handshake. He copied it, tilting his head in curiosity. "Is this a sign of saying 'Hello'?"
"Jormungandr good friend," said Daisuke. "Daisuke good friend."
"Ah, it is a sign of friendship. Well, Sir Daisuke..."
"Yes?"
"Please duck your head. I must do something of great importance."
Daisuke looked in confusion as Jormungandr jumped into the air, hammer in hand. He could only watch in horror as the hammer slammed on top of the pillar, causing it to crack and then explode in a burst of Cosmic Energy. Jormungandr landed in the water, feeling the Cosmic Energy wrap around him and fill him with power.
"This must be done," he stated. "If we do not let loose the energy soon, it will eventually find a way to the surface. We did not need to add anymore pressure to it."
"Enemy will become powerful now!" Daisuke snarled, grabbing onto Jormungandr's shoulders. "He will hurt us!"
"Cosmic Energy can also be used for the side of good," Jormungandr stated calmly, not even flinching at how Daisuke's eyes seem to glow like fire. "You became powerful when you ate it, right? It is only those who are tainted with evil and hatred in their hearts that makes the energy bad. I ate it all the time without any ill effects." He then tilted his head back and looked at the sky. "Oh, it looks like I shouldn't be staying here fo much longer. He might get mad."
Daisuke was confused on what that meant when he saw Jormungandr's outfit fade away into Cosmic Energy. It returned to an Amanogawa High uniform with the blue coat looking similar to a neon hoodie. The person he held in his hands was none other than JK.
"Ugh..." JK moaned slowly opening his eyes. "What happened to me? Where am I?"
"You possessed by Serpent," Daisuke answered. "He destroyed the pillar."
"What?" JK turned and saw the remains of the Northern Pillar, especially the top that held a black square with a large turtle behind it. "No...how could that be? Unless..." His eyes widened. "That serpent...Where is he?"
"He gone now," said Daisuke. "Called himself Jormungandr."
"Jormungan..." JK went to his cellphone and began to search for something through the internet. As he did so, Daisuke turned around, hoping to see the unconscious bodies of both Ecydsis and Kengo. Instead, he found nothing. They must've teleported during Jormungandr's destruction of the stone pillar.
"One pillar left," Daisuke whispered, placing a hand over his Gigi Armlet. "And then...what will happen to us all?"
0-0-0-0-0-0
Shun teleported to Miu, Tomoko and Yuri's current whereabouts, stepping out of a mirror made out of the mist. Miu was the first to approach him, tears in her eyes as she saw this brave knight and shining armor reduced to an empty shell of himself. Shun placed a hand over the scar on his neck, his mind replaying the events that showed he obtained it in the first place.
"Shun," Miu began. "Are you...all right?"
"It depends on your definition for 'all right'," Shun answered. "In the physical sense, I am fine. I feel no pain, and my body can withstand most blows that could kill regular humans. Emotionally wise, I am not."
"I could tell by your eyes that you're trying to hide your pain. Shun, don't close off your heart for us...that's the last thing I want you to do." Miu threw her arms around him and felt the tears falling down her face. "I know you're going to suffer for what you've done, but will you at least act like your normal self until then? At least...for me?"
"Miu," Shun bit his lip as he tried not to shed the tears forming in his own eyes. "I can't. I can't bring myself to be close, because I'll find myself hurt when I see you die and I to keep on living. I wanted to do so much good."
"And you will. You'll be helping out the world because of this."
"And what will that bring me in the end? Loneliness, emptiness, hatred, sorrow..." Shun gripped onto Miu's shoulders. "You'll grow old and die, while I'll stay like this until the Sun burns out or whenever Shiva wants me to end this damn planet! I won't see you again...and I won't be able to do anything about it!"
"Well right now, you're acting like a little kid! As the Chairman of the Kamen Rider Club, I command you to calm down and think rationally. We're going to save the world and, even if you'll have to leave us eventually, we're going to spend time with each other to ensure that you'll have happy memories in mind. Okay?" Miu stepped back and placed a hand on Shun's shoulder. "You can do that, right?"
"Yeah..." Shun wiped away the tears from his eyes as he turned to Tomoko and Yuri. "It's fine, I don't bite."
"Shun," said Tomoko. "What's going on? Where is everyone?"
"Haruka-sensei is at the South pillar with the other Imagins, Virgo Zodiarts teleported and the Zodiarts of the Lion is unconscious."
"That's good to hear," said Yuri, slowly standing up. "But what do we do now? Erin was kidnapped alongside that Gemini Zodiarts by Gentaro and..."
"Then what are you doing standing here?" Shun interrupted. "Miu, get into the Power Dizer. Tomoko, get your snake skin ready and Yuri..."
"Yeah?"
"Just stay by my side for now. Once we can get in contact with Owner, we'll send you back to your parents. They must be wondering where you are."
The girls nodded their heads as Miu rushed to the dormant Power Dizer, feeling her body filled with renewed energy. Even if Shun would leave for Nirvana, or wherever Shiva's residence was, she would help him out until it was his time. It was her mission as the Chairman of the Kamen Rider Club to lead the group to victory, no matter how long it would take. Right now, in this very moment, she had to stop Gentaro from killing off innocent people.
Sitting down into the cockpit, Miu Kazashiro focused on the most important thing she had to do: beat the living hell out of Gentaro Kisaragi.
0-0-0-0-0-0-
Haruka and the five Imagins hopped out of the strange portal and took a good look around them. The pillar was still standing, there were no Dustards in sight, and all in all, it looked as if hadn't been touched for thousands of years.
Still, there was just something in the air that didn't make Haruka Utsugi feel comfortable. It was if something was watching her, ready to attack her when her defenses her down. And sure enough, she got her wish as a purple fireball passed by, nearly singing her ear off.
"Who the hell was that?" she asked, preparing to unsheath her katana. "Show yourself, now!"
"I don't like what's going on here," Momotaros snarled, looking around. "Oi! You bastards, come out here before I AGH!"
The red Imagin was blown away by an electrical blast to the chest. Haruka turned to see both Kengo and the Libra Zodiarts approaching them, both of them looking very angry.
"It's that evil bug guy!" said Ryutaros, pointing at the Zodiarts. "What's he doing here?"
"Kengo," Haruka snarled. "Why are you still brainwashed? Ohsugi freed you yesterday."
"He made me weak and pathetic," Kengo snarled. "I have found understanding as to who I truly am, and I know who I must destroy."
"Apep knows who he belongs to," said Libra Zodiarts, pressing onto the Zodiarts Switch. The black gust of wind reveted him into the guise of Kouhei Hayami, but something was different about him now. It was in his eyes...they were a silver color that showed emptiness. "His father, Ecydsis of the Shed Skin."
"Ecydsis?" asked Sieg. "But you are Kouhei Hayami!"
"My father has devoured that stupid human's soul and has taken over his body," Kengo sneered. "Kouhei Hayami is no more, and soon, so shall you."
"And how are you going to do that when you're outmatched?" asked Kintaros, cracking his neck. "We can easily break you in half!"
"Can you?" asked Ecydsis. "You'll be murdering innocent people who have no weapons on them, while your katana will be covered in their blood. Are you willing to sink to that level?"
Haruka snarled as she took a step forward. Kengo raised a hand into the air, a purple ball of fire hovering over his palm.
"One false move, and the pillar is destroyed," he threatened. "Now, are you going to listen to us or are we going to have to make this tough for you?"
"This is a lie," Urataros whispered into Haruka's ear. "This is just to lower our guard so they can kill us!"
"But we have no choice in the matter, right now," Haruka replied. She dropped her katana to the ground and said, "What do you have to tell us?"
"It's a little story that you might want to know," said Ecydsis, wagging a finger at the group. "It involves the Day of Awakening and what the Zodiarts of the Archer intends to do to your little country of Japan."
Next time: Riderman leads his troupe to obtain victory while Erin and Yuki must survive Gentaro's sadistic plans. Plus, what is the Day of Awakening? And what is Virgo Zodiarts role in all of this madness?
To be continued in-XXVI "Days are Forgotten"