Ryuga's Return.
"Here come the heroes," said Makoto as he saw Ryuji and Kotonoha enter the classroom.
It'd been two weeks since the Riders saved the world and a week after Kotonoha and Ryuji became man and wife. After the wedding, most of the Riders had gone back to their homeworlds. Craig, Ryuki, Jinx, Ichijyo, Takada Kat, Rose, Joseph, Raymond, Shawn and Bobby had gone back to the ZKD World. Kenzaki and Neko as well as their family had gone to the kingdom of Shangri-La which they had called home. Ryuushin had no reason to stay and neither did Siera so they both returned to the God Kingdom in her world. Yuji and Rina had also gone back to the Demon Kingdom. Since Sauron had been defeated, they had no reason to stay in the School Days world since the business was over and done with.
The only Riders remaining were Warren, Tazuka, Ryuji, Kotonoha, Hiro and Yuuki. Hiro Stratos had his own reasons for staying, with Setsuna being at the top of the list.
The Newspaper Club was still up and running but now under Ryuji and SDF's control since Kat had relinquished it. A few members of the SDF had become the new Newspaper Club with Yuuki remaining as the photographer. Roka also joined just to be with him. She covered sports. With Siera gone, Ryuji needed a new secretary for the SDF so he elected Kotonoha. Yuji was gone too so he needed a new second-in-command. He didn't need one, of course, since it was a formality, but he needed someone who could take his place once he graduated.
"Oh, shut up, Itou," remarked Ryuji with a smile.
"Hey, you should be proud," said Sekai. "Not many people can brag about saving the world."
"I did my job so it's old news," retorted Ryuji. "Sides, the Earth is saved so let's just leave it at that."
Everyone knew the Kamen Riders had saved the world, despite not being able to see the climatic battle between them and Sauron. The worldwide Stasis Field had been up, rendering them frozen along with time.
"Let's just be happy we managed to avoid the end of the world," said Kotonoha.
"This time," Ryuji murmured. He eyed Benitora who was in an animated conversation with Hikari. For an Arrancar, he sure was a pacifist. Well, before he released his Zanpakutou and became Rojotigre that is. He hadn't participated in the final battle. When Ryuji confronted him and asked why, Benitora just told him he was busy protecting Hikari.
"So, how bad was it?" Sekai asked curiously.
"Really bad," said Ryuji. "I nearly died."
"You're exaggerating, right?" asked Makoto.
"I don't exaggerate," retorted Ryuji.
"Still, you have our thanks. The both of you," said Sekai.
Kotonoha and Ryuji nodded but then she asked, "How's Yamagata-san?"
Sekai gave a sideway glance to her purple-haired friend who sat alone at her desk and said, "She's still depressed, over Ryuga."
"Good riddance," muttered Ryuji. Kotonoha slapped his arm. "What was that for?"
"That was mean," Kotonoha chided. "You should be more sensitive."
"Hey, the guy was a dangerous sociopathic and psychopathic mass-murderer," retorted Ryuji. "I'm not going to cry over his grave."
Kotonoha frowned, "I know that, but you shouldn't say such things near Yamagata-san. She did love him."
"She'll get over it," Ryuji huffed. "It's for the better."
Kotonoha shook her head. Ryuga had turned himself in following the battle and had been executed. Ai was hit the hardest with the news. In Kotonoha's eyes, Ryuga had redeemed himself by turning himself in and giving up his life.
Warren came into the class and the students got back to their seats. He stood behind the podium as Setsuna said, "Rise, Bow, Sit." The students did as ordered. "Good morning, Warren-sensei."
"Good morning to you all too," said Warren. "Alright, before I begin, we have a new friend joining us." He turned to the door and said, "You may come in."
When the new student came in, Ryuga had to resist the urge to attack him on sight. He was dressed neatly in the boys' uniform and had light dark skin with slanted red eyes. He was handsome and his short and spiked up silver hair gave him an exotic yet dangerous look.
"Good morning," the new student introduced himself. "I am Ryuga Mizuki."
Ryuji could smell him from where he sat. He knew that smell anywhere. It was Ryuga! Ryuga looked to him and smirked before looking up at Ai and giving her a soft smile. Warren coughed and said, "Well, Ms. Yamagata has an empty seat so please sit there."
"Thank you," said Ryuga as he made his way up to her desk, passing Ryuji who snarled. He sat down next to Ai and leaned in to whisper, "I told you I'd be back."
Ai gasped. Now she could recognise him. Sure, his skin was darker and his hair was far shorter than before, but she could still recognise his face. "Ryuga-san…"
"Alright, I will take attendance and after that please open your text books to page 56," said Warren.
Ryuji barely paid attention the entire class. His attention was on Ryuga the entire time.
During the break between classes, Ryuji went up to Ryuga to confront him. "Ryuga!" he shouted.
Ryuga turned away from his conversation with Ai to look at Ryuji, annoyed, "May I help you?"
"Oh, don't you play dumb with me, you bastard," growled Ryuji. "How the hell are you back?"
"Why not ask Smith-sensei?" Ryuga asked.
Ryuji frowned. Warren was definitely way too calm. Even he could recognise Ryuga and still treated the Orphenoch King like just another student. "
"Hasuma-san, please, don't pick fight with Ryuga-san," requested Ai. "Please."
"Ai's right," said Ryuga as he rose up, a hand reaching into his back pocket, "You don't want to pick a fight with me."
Ryuji's hand clenched and unclenched. "Excuse me," he said before he went towards the door. Kotonoha stood up and followed after him.
Setsuna blinked and looked to Hiro. He had enrolled in Sakakino in order to spend more time with Setsuna. "What was all that about?" Setsuna asked her world-jumping boyfriend.
"Ryuga, former S-Class bounty," Hiro answered, "He was executed after he turned himself in for his crimes." He was blunt.
"So, he's the one who got away," Setsuna nodded. She looked to Hiro curiously, "Wait, you said he was executed."
"That's just what I heard," Hiro shrugged. "But since he's been 'officially' executed, there's no bounty on him anymore." He muttered, "Lousy bureaucratic bullshit."
Yuuki looked worried too. If that was Ryuga for sure, then that meant a fight was likely to happen.
Ryuji went straight to the faculty room and confronted Warren who smiled. "Surprised?"
"How is he back? You said he was in Hell," said Ryuji.
"Who?"
"You know who. Ryuga!"
"Oh, the new transfer student," said Warren calmly.
"Yes, the new transfer student, and why is he using Aniki's surname?" Ryuji demanded.
"Because I adopted him," said Tazuka as he walked over. Ryuji gawked.
"You…what?"
"I adopted him," Tazuka repeated. "He's now officially Ryuga Mizuki, my little brother."
Ryuji looked betrayed as he looked back and forth between the two men he admired and looked up to. "This…can't be happening."
"Don't worry," said Tazuka. "Ryuga-kun is completely harmless now."
"'Ryuga' and 'harmless' do not fit in the same sentence unless there is a 'is not' in the middle," retorted Ryuji. "How could you do this?"
"He did his time already," said Warren.
"Oh, and how long was he in Hell for?" Ryuji huffed.
"A million years. Time really flies down there," Mizuki spoke.
"OK, but how is he free?" Ryuji asked.
"Ask Libra," Warren answered. "He pulled a few strings and put him under Tazuka's supervision."
'Dad did this? Guess he's trying to make up for leaving us to play god,' thought Ryuji.
"If you're worried about his powers, don't be. They've been sealed," said Warren. "He's got as much power as a dim light bulb. He doesn't have his psychic or Orphenoch powers."
"But he can still manipulate Ki," muttered Ryuji. "I sensed it. He still has that Shinki in him."
"Yes, but he swore not to use it unless he has to."
"And you believe him?"
"I do," said Mizuki. "He is my little brother. I have to trust him."
"This is bullshit, and you know it!" yelled Ryuji.
"What are you going to do about it?" Warren asked.
Ryuji waited until lunch to make his move. When the bell rang, he said to Kotonoha, "Let's have lunch in the cafeteria later. I have to do something."
"Alright," she nodded before she carried the basket filled with their lunch to the cafeteria.
Ryuji watched her go and sighed. He got up from his seat and went up to Ryuga and Ai who were just about ready to go have lunch together. "You and me, on the roof, right now," Ryuji challenged Ryuga. Ai heard it loud and clear.
"Please, you don't have to…" began Ai. He felt Ryuga's hand on her shoulder.
"It's okay, Ai." He narrowed his crimson eyes upon Ryuji. "If he wants to do this, then I can't refuse."
Ryuji and Ryuga stood on the rooftop, glaring at each other. "Warren told me all about it, and I still think it's a bunch of crap."
"What you think means little to me. I did my time," said Ryuga.
"You deserve to rot in Hell for all eternity!" Ryuji roared back.
"I did rot in there, for a million years. Can you endure the kind of torture I had? It makes you think about the things you've done. You have no idea what I went through down there," Ryuji remarked.
"I don't give a damn what you went through down there! I'm sending you right back!!!" Ryuji charged at Ryuga and threw a fist at him and his counterpart dodged to the side and then elbowed Ryuji in the back, hard, knocking him to the ground. Ryuji pushed himself up onto his hands and knees and swung his leg at Ryuga's feet but the former Orphenoch King leapt over the leg. Ryuji got back to his feet and hurled a fist at Ryuga who knocked it away with a right hook and then slammed his fist across Ryuji's face with a left hook. A jab in Ryuji's stomach made him double over but then Ryuji rammed his head into Ryuga's chin, sending him staggering back in pain.
"Hah!" Ryuji laughed. With most of Ryuga's powers sealed, he wasn't as powerful as before.
Ryuga rubbed his chin. "So, you're not going to hold back. It's a good thing this body was made to last."
"I won't stop until you're six feet under," Ryuji said coldly.
"Well, let's take it to the next level then," said Ryuga as he whipped his Z-Deck out from his back pocket, shocking Ryuji.
"You still have that!?" Ryuji gawked in shock.
"Mizuki-oniisama was holding it for me," answered Ryuga. Black electricity travelled to his waist and formed his Z-Belt. Ryuji slung his Dyno Belt around his waist and fastened it on. He gripped his Dyno Pass tightly as Ryuga held his Z-Deck to his belt.
"Henshin!" Ryuga called as he slid in his deck.
"Henshin!" Ryuji called as he swiped his pass over his belt buckle.
"SABRE FORM!"
Their suits formed over them and the two warriors stared each other down. Both wore black and looked similar to one another. Red lights glowed under their visors as they went into their combat stances. They then charged at each other, roaring, as they drew back their fists.
"RARGH…!!!" They hurled their fists and they collided with explosive force, sending the two flying to opposite ends of the roof and hitting the guard fence surrounding it. Both regained their balance and charged at each other again. Limbs sailed through the air as they tried to strike at each other. Ifrit punched Onyx across the face and his opponent kneed him in the gut. Ifrit used her roundhouse kick on him but Onyx grabbed his ankle and spun around and around before tossing him through the air. Ifrit landed on the floor and skidded along the surface with his feet.
"Genki Hou!" Ifrit roared as he prepared to attack.
"Strike Vent!" Onyx summoned a pair of shields and the golden beam slammed into them. The beam was blocked as Onyx advanced towards Ifrit. Ifrit stopped firing and Onyx dropped his shields, drawing a card to slot into his Black Drag-Visor.
"Sword Vent!" His sword appeared in his hand and he slashed at Ifrit who rolled to the side, summoning his Ifrit Dao before lunging at Onyx. With his two swords in hand, he had the advantage, or so he would like to think. Sparks showered around them as their blades clashed. Ifrit really wanted to finish Onyx off.
Their blades met in a deadlock as they pushed against each other. "I didn't spend a million years in Hell doing nothing! I trained myself! If I could I could wield the flames of Hell myself!"
"Too bad you had your powers sealed!" retorted Ifrit.
"But not my Ki! Shingi! Flames of the Underworld!" A literal blaze erupted from Onyx and Ifrit could feel it through his armor. It threw him backwards and Onyx capitalised on this by slashing at Ifrit repeatedly before disarming him.
"Kishamoth!" Ifrit called.
"Alright, Ryuji-sama!" the Mammoth Imagin obeyed as he switched with Loki inside the belt.
"MAMMOTH FORM!"
His armor exploded off his body, Cast Off style, and collided into Onyx to distract him. New armor formed over Ifrit and now he was in his Mammoth Form armor. His shoulder armor slid down his arm and covered his forearms and fists before he charged and rammed his armoured fists into Onyx, sending him flying.
Onyx tumbled along the ground before he crashed into one of the benches. He hissed and got back to his feet. Ifrit got ready to continue the battle. The two approached each other and charged. Before they could come to blows, a pink stingray cut right through between, halting them. That could only mean one thing. Several energy arrows also shot at their feet as a warning. They turned their heads to see Zodiac Knight Sting and Kamen Rider Tenshi glaring at them.
Ifrit gulped. He could sense his angel's anger aimed at him along with her bowgun. "Oh…Koto-chan…"
"Don't even start," she shot back. "I waited for you but you never came. I should've known this would happen."
"I predicted this would happen," said Sting. "It's a good thing I stopped you both from making a horrible miatake."
"He's the mistake!" Ifrit pointed an accusing finger at Onyx.
"He's done his time, Ryuji," said Sting. "Just let it go."
"I can't…"
Sting frowned and said to Tenshi, "Get him out of here. I have a little brother to scold."
"Which one?" Tenshi asked.
"You know which."
Tenshi nodded and went to Ifrit. She grabbed his wrist and dragged him away to give Sting and Onyx some privacy.
"You were supposed to stay out of trouble," Sting said to Onyx.
"He was the one who challenged me," Onyx defended.
"You could've declined," reasoned Sting.
"You know I never decline challenges," Onyx retorted.
"Just get out of your armor. Your girlfriend is waiting for you."
The students knew well enough to make way for Ryuji when he walked the hallway in a foul mood. Only Kotonoha could calm him down whenever he was like this. Right now, the Captain of the SDF was angry. He was angry about Ryuga coming back and having their fight interrupted. Kotonoha was upset at him too, mostly about lying to her and going behind her back.
"You still hate him, don't you?" she questioned.
"Isn't it that obvious? He may have helped us to fight Sauron but I can't trust him," Ryuji retorted.
"I think I know why you hate him," said Kotonoha. "He reminds you of what you may become."
Ryuji stopped walking to give Kotonoha a glare. "I am nothing like him."
"You forget that he is you."
"Don't remind me," he muttered.
She took his hand in hers and said softly, "Stop holding anymore grudges. Please. You know what happens if you let your anger our of control."
Ryuji gave a sigh and said, "I…I just don't know how to deal with this."
"You can start by trusting Tazuka-sensei and Warren-sensei," said Kotonoha. "They know what they're doing."
"I hope you're right."
"How are you feeling?" Ai asked as she and Ryuga walked home together.
"Well, being back in a physical body again is something I definitely need to get used to," Ryuga said.
"Was it true that you went to Hell?" Ai asked carefully.
"I deserved it," said Ryuga.
"But you're back. How come?" she asked.
"Someone pulled some strings and convinced them to give me a second chance," said Ryuga. He was referring to Libra. "Not that I do, after all I've done."
"You told me what happened and why you did it."
"Doesn't make it right. I was taking my pain the our on others."
"But you realise that now."
"Too little too late. I can't change my past, no matter how much I wanted to. I have to look forward to the future." He gave Ai a look. "Why did you wait for me? I thought you'd just forget about me."
"Why would you think that?" she asked, aghast by his inquiry.
"You know of my sins. You're too good for me," he said. "Why did you want me, a killer, back in your life? You got hurt because of me."
"Well, love is blind," said Ai. "I can't help how I still feel about you. I just…can't stop loving you."
Ryuga let out a sigh. "I really don't deserve you, you know that?"
"Well, you have me, and I have no intentions of running away," she said with a smile. He couldn't help but return the smile.
"You wished to see me, sensei?" Benitora asked as he stood at Warren's desk with Vash already there.
"Yes, Benitora," said Warren. "I have something for you, the both of you." He placed the two Z-Decks on his desk. "Here, they are yours."
The two boys gawked at the Z-Decks. "Warren, are you sure about this?" Vash asked.
"Yes, I am," said Warren. "It's not like I need them anymore." He gave the Abyss Deck to Benitora and the Dark Deck to Vash. "Here, you might find them useful."
Vash's grin grew wide as he inspected his new Z-Deck. "Oh I can't wait to try this baby out!" The Riders had a lot of fans so maybe with this he could impress some girls.
Benitora inspected the Abyss Deck curiously. He already had his Arrancar powers but using those made him wild and unpredictable. With this deck, he'd be in control and not Rojotigre. "Alright, I accept."
Warren smiled at the two new Zodiac Knights. If he was right, then they'd need all the help they could get.