Horseshoes and Hand-grenades

XXVI: 4-1-25-19/1-18-5/6-15-18-7-15-20-20-5-14

"We do not remember days, we remember moments."

-Cesare Pavese

Gentaro was relentless. He did not leave Erin and Yuki any chance to dodge his attacks. The blades on his wrists swiped towards them, hoping to either slice their heads off, or stab them in the stomach or heart. Erin was having a bit more difficulty in avoiding the attacks due to her severely injured hand, and Yuki couldn't maneuver so well with the blades pushing her back to the edge of the fiery ring. It was clear that they were going to lose.

"Gentaro!" Erin snarled. "Will you listen to us? Ophiuchus isn't what he seems! He only wants you for whatever diabolical plan for the world's destruction. If he was really on your side, wouldn't he be helping us save the world from the Zodiarts?"

"The Zodiarts are the main threat," Gentaro replied. "And it just so happens that you are a Zodiarts! I say that I'm doing my mission! Coral snake, engage!"

"Shit..." Erin cursed as Gentaro fired another flaming orb at her. She rolled to the side, nearing the edge of the flaming circle. The flames were consuming more oxygen the longer it continued to burn, and if help didn't come by the time she and Yuki passed out, everything was done for.

"Gen-chan!" Yuki cried. "Please...you're going to kill someone! This isn't like you...where was my best friend that made friends with a thousand people. I want that Gen-chan back!"

"He's gone, Yuki," Gentaro sneered. "Gone forever...he's never coming back! Stop wasting your breath on me now, because you're going to need it if you're going to live! Kingsnake, extend!"

A blade extended toward Yuki, preparing to pierce through her stomach. Fortunately for her, she heard the stomps of the Power Dizer from behind, the giant mecha knocking Gentaro into a tree and causing him to groan in discomfort. The mecha then scooped both Erin and Yuki into its hands and walked out of the fire.

"Miu-sempai!" Yuki exclaimed. "You made it!"

"I'm not alone though," said Miu. "I brought help."

Gentaro slowly slid up, snarling at the giant mecha that tossed him aside, only to find two blades stabbing him in the stomach. He looked up, seeing Shun standing in front of him, pulling out the pata blades that caused no blood to shed when they pierced through their target's skin. The Serpent-bearer dropped to one knee, slowly feeling the poison weakening him even more.

"Son of a..." Gentaro snarled, eyes glowing red. "What are you do to me?!"

"Doing what all snakes do to their prey," Shun answered back. "You should know better by now."

"You will pay for that, Daimonji! Coral snake, Enga-"

Something long and white wrapped around Gentaro's mouth, preventing him from using his blades. He turned his gaze to the left, seeing Tomoko and Yuri tug on what was left of the shredded snake skin, tightening their grasp so Gentaro didn't say anything else.

"I...want to help..." Yuri replied. "No matter what! I did things that I'm not proud of!"

"Thank you," Tomoko replied. "Now, Shun!"

As Miu dropped Yuki and Erin onto the ground, Shun raised his blades into the air, ready to slice Gentaro's head off and end the madness once and for all. Gentaro gnashed his teeth in fury as he saw how his friends, the ones that he helped, the ones that he loved, the ones that he'd do anything for, were ready to kill him. Ophiuchus's words rang in his ear, reminding him that they no longer wanted him, whether he was alive or dead.

Feed on that anger, Serpent-bearer... Ophiuchus hissed. Tap into that source of power that lives inside of you. You know what it is, and you know what it wants...

Gentaro felt his whole body become consumed in his master's presence. Ophiuchus burst forth from his back as Gentaro sliced through the shredded snake skin with one of his blades and roared. Everyone was thrown back from the loudness of the yell, and the ring of fire smoldered into a dark circle of burnt grass. Gentaro turned to the six teens with anger, snarling under his breath.

"My master was right," he said. "You want me dead, don't you? You all see me as the bad guy, right? Fine, then I shall be the one who opposes you. I hope you're happy!"

Gentaro growled as a pair of white feathery wings grew from his back. He began to float into the air while plumes of white fire wrapped around his body, burning his clothes and encasing him with their warmth. Ophiuchus hissed in delight at what he was seeing. The ends of Gentaro's wings were tipped with black, and tattooed on his forehead was the astrological symbol of Ophiuchus: a capital U with a wavy line in the center. When he opened his eyes, they were red with black slits.

"W...what's going on?" Yuki stammered. "Gen-chan? What are you?"

"I am Gentaro Kisaragi, descendant of Asclepius, the God of Medicine," Gentaro answered. His wings flared as feathers fell to the ground. "And I am more than just that! I was once the savior you came to know as Kamen Rider Fourze, but no more. Now, I have spread my wings to become the being that I was supposed to be—the White Crow of the Veil. With it, I shall send you all to the depths of Hell where you belong!"

With a scream, a large pillar of light lit the sky. Ophiuchus wrapped around his Serpent-bearer, his dark aura melding with the White Crow's light. When the fire died out, Gentaro's was now clothed in a white tunic decorated with a black snake wrapped around his neck, and all the way down to his feet. Black markings emerged around his eyes, with a dark line going through the black face paint, and his lips were also painted the color of shadows. When the light faded, the six-man audience were facing an angel who once loved humans before his fall from grace. Said angel descended to the ground, his wings casting a large shadow on the scorched grass while the dark serpent nuzzled him affectionately. Gentaro lowered his eyes half-mast, licking his lips in delight with his forked tongue at the new prey he had found.

"Now," he said, summoning the Scepter of Asclepius from thin air. "Who shall be the first to be spirited away?"

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

"Your chairman wishes to invoke the 'Day of Awakening'," Ecydsis began, raising a hand into the air. "With the power of all twelve Zodiarts, he will bring forth a dark vortex of Cosmic Energy that will decimate your beloved country and at least 95% of the population along with it."

"But why?" asked Haruka, staring at the former principal of Amanogawa High. "And why are you even telling us this?"

"It's because we both have a bone to pick with the Zodiarts," Ecydsis answered. "The Zodiarts killed my fellow Serpents, and they have caused pain to all of you. Don't deny that I am telling the honest truth."

"Honest truth or not, it doesn't dismiss that you're also evil. The Zodiarts are bad, but you're even worse."

"You keep that tongue or yours silent, witch!" Kengo snarled, preparing his kopesh sword. "Father, enough of this stupid chivalry. Let me vivisect her and pull her brain out through her nose."

"EWW! That's disgusting!" Ryutaros exclaimed, hopping up and down and pointing at the father and son duo. "We can't let you do that to Haruka nee-san!"

"Nor can we let you destroy that sacred pillar!" Sieg added. "I'm sorry, but an alliance is not possible at this time."

"If that's the way you want it to go, fine," Ecydsis rolled one of his sleeves. "We'll fight you dead on. Don't expect us to go easy on you, though."

He grabbed onto the skin on his arm and proceeded to tear it off all the way down to the elbow. The Imagins and Haruka grimaced as the hand morphed into a large scythe blade, and Ecydsis felt no pain at showing off the muscles and sinew of his, or rather Hayami's, arm. The fact that he was smiling as this was going on made it even more unsettling.

"I'm going to be sick," Momotaros muttered, his hands on both his mouth and stomach.

"This is not the time for that, Sempai," said Urataros. "We will have to fight once more! The pillar must be saved!"

"Everyone," said Haruka, picking up her katana. "Let's prepare ourselves. This pillar must not be destroyed!"

"Ready!" said Kintaros, cracking his neck with a push of a finger.

"Advent, above all else!" Sieg proclaimed, showering white feathers everywhere.

"Mind if we fight you?" asked Ryutaros, spinning around. "Can't hear your answer!"

"Iku ze! Iku ze! Iku ze!" Momotaros cried, brandishing a large red sword from out of nowhere. The eight combatants ran one another, The Imagins taking on Kengo, while Haruka rushed straight toward Ecydsis, her blade clashing with his scythe-blade arm.

"How did you even take control of Principal Hayami in the first place?" Haruka snarled, leaning nose to nose with Ecydsis. "How did you possess him?"

"It's quite simple, my lady," Ecydsis replied, kicking Haruka in the stomach. "Serpents feed on Cosmic Energy, and that man was an avatar of the original Zodiarts of the Scales. He was brimming with Cosmic Energy, each and every pore in his body called out for me to devour his soul! It was so easy to get him riled up and make him lose control of his mind. The poor fool didn't even realize that my master injected my essence into him with that snake bite and it was just a matter of time before he went bye-bye."

"So that means..." Haruka's eyes widened in surprise. "No! I won't let you do that to Kengo!"

"It's APEP!" Kengo snarled, firing three large fireballs at the Imagins. Ryutaros summoned a large purple shotgun, blasting the three into smithereens with some accurate shots. This was followed up by Kintaros with his golden axe slicing Kengo's sword while Sieg threw a large white boomerang at his face. With a swipe of his hand, Kengo fired a large crescent of purple fire that knocked the boomerang aside. "Make that mistake again and I will mummify you without the salt!"

Haruka clopped her feet before raising her foot into the air, preparing for her signature kick. Ecydsis noticed this, and stabbed his scythe blade through Haruka's thigh, the female teacher pausing for just a moment as she saw blood dripping down onto the stones beneath her feet. Ecydsis smirked as he placed his human hand on the leg, licking up the blood like a kitten drinking up milk.

"Delicious," he hissed. "I am amazed how this 'human' lusts after you...you're so bold, so daring, so proud...I wish you could be the vessel for my wife. Ah, well."

Haruka took the window of opportunity to stab her katana into Ecydsis's stomach. Ecydsis gasped and stepped back, placing a hand near the wound as blood started to gush out. He dropped to his knees as Haruka wiped off the blood with her coat. She looked back at the body of Kouhei Hayami and then at her sword. She swallowed the lump in her throat; she'd regret doing this, but killing Ecydsis right now was the best solution.

Unfortunately, Kengo must've sensed that also. He began to run toward Ecydsis, placing his hands on the older man's shoulders as Ecydsis began to cough up blood.

"Father!" he said. "Will you be all right? Is the wound fatal?"

"I'll manage," Ecydsis hissed. "Just destroy that pillar! Our King's revival depends on this!"

"No, Kengo!" Haruka yelled. "Kengo, you're in there. You know that this man isn't the principal, and you know that Gentaro is gone! You have to stop Gentaro from unleashing this evil—as his very close friend, you know this is the right thing to do!"

"No," Kengo hissed, his eyes glowing purple. "Because I was the friend of the Serpent-bearer, that means that it still my duty to work with him and send all of the ones who hurt him into the depths of Hell. This includes you..."

"Everyone!" said Momotaros. "Initiate Final Climax—AGH!"

A fast blur knocked the red Imagin off of his feet. The other five Imagin looked in confusion, trying to figure out who was out there. Then, the same blur knocked them all off of their feet, one after another. Haruka winced as she felt blood pouring down her calf, but she could see a glint of silver hair and large claws as the speedy monster stood tall over the five Imagin, their back facing her. The person raised a hand, crushing the walnuts in their grip. There was a large crunch as the walnut shell chunks dropped to the ground. Haruka shook her head in disbelief.

"Tatsugami..." she whispered. "But you can't be the Leo Zodiarts...I destroyed the Zodiarts Switch!"

"It seems as you just took one way of making me become a Zodiarts," Tatsugami chuckled. He turned around, licking his sharp fangs as he growled. "I'm glad to see you're doing well."

"Leo Zodiarts!" Ecydsis snarled. "You...you sent my son hurtling toward Earth! You killed my wife! How dare you have the audcaity to come here!"

"Hayami," Tatsugami growled, tossing the walnut chunks onto the ground. "What the fuck are you talking about? It doesn't matter—I've got orders to take you back to see the Chairman. He's been wanting to take a good look at you ever since that scuffle in the gynmasium with those two geezers. I hope you haven't been losing your touch."

"At least my ambitions are better than yours, you mangy, over-grown...UGH!" Ecydsis hissed as more and more blood dripped from the wound. "Damn it you bitch...now I am unable to stop this madness!"

"You're contributing to it!" Haruka snapped back. "Tatsugami, do you know about the Day of Awakening?"

"Why else would I be following Master Gamou?" Tatsugami chuckled. "For he showed me a way to obtain ultimate power, and now I get a chance to use it."

"You sick bastard..." Kengo growled, preparing his kopesh sword. "I will not let you take the Cosmic Energy from us! It is ours!"

"Not anymore," Tatsugami replied. He opened his mouth and unleashed a humongous roar, sending Haruka, Ecydsis and Kengo flying back a few feet, with Ecydsis even slamming against the pillar and groaning. Haruka slowly stood up, relaxing a bit when the cool water touched her bleedling leg, and brought her katana in front of her to defend herself. Whatever happened, she had to keep fighting!

"Still wanting to mess with little old me?" Tatsugami asked, tilting his head. "You've got yourself a death wish, brat!"

Haruka sucked in her breath, ignoring the pain in her leg as she began to run toward Tatsugami. Tatsugami smirked and raised his claws into the air. He disappeared in a blink in an eye, causing Haruka to temporarily slow down. She felt a whoosh and turned to the left, seeing Tatsugami next to her. He sliced through her clothes, leaving three diagonal cuts on her stomach. She dropped to the ground, one hand covering the now bleeding stomach and gasped for breath. At this rate, she would die of blood loss. Tatsugami stomped on her hand, his grin growing wider as he saw Haruka resist the urge to scream.

"I love it when my victims scream in pain," he hissed, tugging onto Haruka's hair. "It makes killing them so much better."

Haruka felt Tatsugami run a claw down her cheek before it flicked the glasses off of her face. She could only shiver in fear as she felt the claws touching her eyes.

"Now you see me," Tatsugami began. "Now you..."

"OHSUGI SMASH!"

Tatsugami turned around, seeing Chuta Ohsugi in the air, slamming a staff into his face. He crumpled to the ground as Ohsugi landed on his feet, arm stretched out to help him maintain his balance. Landing next to him was Kamen Rider Nadeshiko, already pulling out Astroswitch 24 into the left slot of her driver.

Medical On

A light yellow first aid kit materialized on her left arm as she opened it. She pulled out some rubbing alcohol and bandages, ready to fix Haruka's wounds before they became fatal. Ohsugi picked up Haruka's fallen glasses and placed them back on her face.

"Chuta..." Haruka whispered. "Where did you come from?"

"The sky of course," Ohsugi replied, pointing to the DenLiner flying in the sky. "Sorry we're a little late—we had a bit of trouble in Futo and the Chairman being the Sagittarius Zodiarts and all..."

"Well, I'm glad you're here then," Haruka chuckled weakly. She then looked at the item in his hand. "What is that?" She then looked down and saw that he was only wearing socks. "And where are your shoes?"

"Oh, this thing?" Ohsugi raised it into the air. It was a caduceus. "That, and my missing shoes, are parts of a long winded yarn that we don't have time for."

Nadeshiko ripped open Haruka's shirt, dipping a bit of cotton into the rubbing alcohol and lightly dabbing it at the slashes and the cut in the teacher's leg. Haruka winced slightly, but otherwise didn't show any signs of displeasure.

"Rally the Imagins and get them to immobilize Tatsugami," she continued. "He somehow has his Zodiarts powers even though I destroyed his Switch."

"Wait, Switches can be destroyed?" Ohsugi repeated. "Interesting..."

Nadeshiko pulled out the roll of linen bandages and wrapped it around Haruka's disinfected stomach and leg. She then turned to see Kengo and Ecydsis against the pillar, preparing to remove the Medical Switch for the Hammer Switch.

"Wait!" said Haruka. "Heal Principal Hayami. I'll explain why later."

"All right then," Nadeshiko replied, slowly approaching the brainwashed Kengo. Kengo turned around and glared at the female Kamen Rider, but Nadeshiko just handed him the roll of bandages as a peace offering. Kengo just snatched it, pulling a strip so he could tend to Ecydsis's wounds.

"Ugh, what hit me?" Momotaros groaned, slowly sitting up. "Oi, old geezer! Explain!"

"We've got Zodiarts trouble," Ohsugi answered, pointing his caduceus to the slowly waking Ko Tatsugami. "And he's not going to stop until we're all dead."

"Bad kitty! Bad kitty!" Ryutaros exclaimed, performing a kick-up. He began to dance around with his shotgun in hand. "He needs to be taught a lesson."

"He hurt a beautiful lady such as Haruka-san," said Urataros, shaking his head. "That will simply not do."

"He nearly made her weep!" Kintaros added, folding his arms. "That is evil!"

"I agree, my subjects," Sieg nodded his head. "Now, let us vanquish this madman."

"I couldn't agree more," Ohsugi replied. "How's everyone doing?"

A bright burst of light rose into the sky and then faded away after a few seconds. Ohsugi just narrowed his eyes.

"Forget I said anything," he muttered. "Now," he motioned for the Imagins to approach him. "Here's what we'll do."

0-0-0-0-0-0

Philip swung his sword, creating a large energy beam that zipped through the air. Riderman thrust the Rocket Drill Arm toward it, the beam dissipating when the drill pierced through. He then rushed toward Philip, who raised his sword to protect himself from the drill, as Chosuke followed suite, winding up his fist for a powerful punch.

"What's the next step in our plan?" asked Norio.

"I'm thinking, I'm thinking..." Motoyama muttered, tapping the sides of his head with two fingers. "We have to figure out a weak point to the sword and make it become four white board pens. It's a bit heavy, judging by how he has to use two hands to wield it."

"And the weak point is..."

"The hilt." Motoyama flicked a stone into the air that hit Philip in the forehead. His attention now on whoever threw said stone, he was them victim to a punch in the face by Chosuke, while Riderman aimed for the sword's hilt. The drill pierced the hilt and the sword exploded, sending Philip and Riderman back a few feet. Norio caught the Kamen Rider in his arms, while Philip fell to the ground in pain. The sword became four white board pens that fell to the ground. Thinking quick, Norio snatched the red whiteboard pen, uncapped it and drew three lines of fire that incinerated the other pens, before tossing the red pen into one of the fires.

"What does it take for these guys to stay down?" asked Chosuke, cracking his knuckles. "This is getting tiring!"

"Nothing short of death will prevent Ophiuchus from getting what he wants," Motoyama answered. "I just hope JK catches up soon."

"Guys!" cried a voice. "Over here!"

Riderman turned around, seeing Daisuke riding on the Jungler motorcycle with JK sitting behind him. Daisuke slowed the Jungler to a stop as JK hopped out, panting for breath.

"North...pillar...destroyed," he wheezed. "We only have one left."

"What?!" Norio shook his head in disbelief. "But that's impossible!"

"Was hit by unexpected attack," Daisuke answered, sharing a small glance at JK. "Pillar destroyed while I knocked out."

"Fill in the details later," said Riderman. "We still have this one to deal with."

Philip sat up, snarling at the backup that arrived. He was about to say something, but saw something flash in the distance. Motoyama looked up, and saw a large pillar of light before it vanished.

"What just happened?" he asked.

"We better check it out," said Chosuke. "But first we have to..." He turned around, but there was no sign of Philip. "Huh? Where did he run off to?"

"We can figure that out later," said Riderman. "Let's get going. Our day isn't over yet."

Everyone nodded their heads, except for JK. He felt Jormungandr's presence in his head, and he knew that the dark serpent would take over his body soon. He would not allow it—he wasn't going to let some malevolent entity take over without his say.

Keiko...JK thought to himself, balling his hands into fists. Your big brother is no longer afraid. He's fighting for you, and for the world. And nothing is going to stand in his way.

Next time: Gentaro shows off his new powers as the White Crow and utterly demolishes everyone in his path, while Tatsugami decides to turn his attention to Chuta Ohsugi and the merry band of Imagins. Meanwhile, Virgo Zodiarts decides to bring herself into the playing field, but what is she truly after?

To be continued in, XXVII "Forgotten Realms"