4-

"There really is a flying castle!" It was apparent that they'd reached this Nuuma place from the spectacle that took Sasagawa a moment to process.

"And I have a flying Viper," said Karigari. "What's to stop someone from making a castle fly? I might do the same if I had my own. A levitating mobile hideout was on my to-do list before my untimely death."

"I guess," Sasagawa said. "But I mean, it's like something out of a fairy tale! It might be a romantic spot."

"It might, but I imagine the people inside will be quite hostile, shattering the romantic image. Which shouldn't stop us from taking advantage of the setting if the need arises."

Once the Machine-Sector landed on the castle, on an outer balcony, and the pair disembarked, Sasagawa immediately took the chance to surprise Karigari with a kiss on the lips. Which took a small bit of stretching when he was even taller than her than she was used to. Of course, he pulled her closer, returning what she'd initiated.

"Stop! Insector!"

It was only the sound of guards which made them pull apart.

"Can't you see we were busy?" Karigari asked.

Of course, he'd anticipated this turn of events. Ideally, the version of he and Sasagawa kissing outside would have simply been a hologram (projecting them as they were kissing elsewhere), and they would have been many steps ahead. Sadly, he lacked the time or resources to prepare such a thing. Which didn't mean he regretted the kissing in the slightest.

"I-I'm sorry you had to see that," said Sasagawa, addressing the guards. She moved a distance away from Karigari. Public displays of affection were likely frowned upon here just as much as they were in her home world. But, it wasn't every day she got to kiss on a flying castle. "More importantly, we came here because we heard you had an Oracle Key." She took note of the spears pointed in their direction, the guards unyielding. "Will you listen to me if I told you I was a Spider Rider?" She held up the manacle on her hand.

"Why is a Spider Rider helping Insectors?!"

"Preposterous!"

She heard chattering amongst the guards, some of which huddled together to whisper something.

"What is all this commotion?!"

A woman appeared from behind the guards.

"Queen Elma!"

"Stay back! An Insector appeared here!"

"So you're the ruler of this castle Miss liked so much," said Karigari. "Then perhaps you'll be more sensible than these barbarians pointing spears before even having a polite discussion over why I may be here."

"Aren't you… Buguese of the Big Four?!" The queen looked stricken with terror.

"That is what they're calling me these days," Karigari replied. "But as I tried to explain to the Spider Riders earlier, I may be a bit different than the Buguese you're familiar with."

"I'm not familiar with Buguese at all," Elma replied. "I've only heard stories. Terrible ones."

"Then please take the time to listen to him," said Sasagawa.

"You're… you can't be!" Elma took notice immediately of the bracelet on her wrist. "A Spider Rider!"

"She is," said Karigari. "Aqune made out considerably well in the powers department. She can also detect the location of the Oracle Keys, so you won't be able the hide the fact that you're keeping one in this castle."

"Then, she's an Oracle Handmaiden?!"

"It's not that big a deal I think." Sasagawa didn't expect the queen to look only further horrified.

"It is that big a deal!" she replied. "For someone so blessed by Spirit Oracle, to use your powers for evil… I can't believe, that for a moment I thought… you resembled that girl."

"That girl?" Sasagawa questioned. She was mildly offended by the 'using her powers for evil' comment, but her curiosity on Aqune's true identity won out.

"Yes," said the queen. "It was many years ago, but she resembled you. She and her sister were handmaidens in training who lived around here. They used to play outside the castle. But they were never heard from again."

"I see," Sasagawa said. "Must be a coincidence." She only had her own memories, not Aqune's. So that sounded to her like nothing more than a nice story.

"If you know Miss, then perhaps you'll understand that she isn't a grave threat to your kingdom, my good queen," Karigari spoke. "Rather, we need your Key in order to save our own. We intend to defeat that egotistical Mantid and break the curse of darkness. And after that, I suppose the kingdom might collapse into an anarchy with no ruler. Aqune and I could rule, which would make her your fellow queen before you know it. If you won't respect her as a handmaiden, a Spider Rider, or an old acquaintance, at least respect her as your peer."

"Wait… you were planning to make me queen?!" Sasagawa stared at Karigari, though she wasn't unhappy.

"I wasn't planning it exactly," he replied. "Just examining the situation out loud. Life as a politician sounds quite monotonous. I'm not sure I'd like to be tied down like that. But if you'd like to be queen, I can think of no one I'd rather have ruling beside me."

"You're right," said Sasagawa. "Being a politician sounds boring. But I'd love to be your queen anyway! I hope we can have a big royal wedding! Hey, Queen Elma, can you recommend any good bakeries around here? I was thinking we could get a ten-layer cake with figures of the bride and groom on top, and a big Cyclone Interceptor to stand guard over them. And…" she paused, blushing. Being in another world couldn't stop her bad habit of getting lost in romantic fantasies at inappropriate times. "Maybe this isn't the best time to plan a wedding. I just can't wait! But… do you understand now why we need the Oracle Key?"

"I don't," she admitted. "The reason this castle is floating in the sky is because your Insector people attacked us, trying to take the Key by force."

"Mantid doesn't seem to be the delicate type," said Karigari. "I'd apologize on his behalf, but as I already tried to explain, I don't like him either.

The queen sighed to herself.

"Why don't you come in and talk?" She signaled for the guards to lower their weapons.

"But, Your Majesty…"

"Don't worry," she said. "The two don't seem to be hostile. I'll give them a chance to plead their case."

"A wise decision," said Karigari.

"Thank you!" Sasagawa exclaimed.


"So tell me about this curse of darkness."

They stood in a chamber where the Oracle Key was housed. Elma had made it clear that the Oracle Key was precisely what was keeping the castle floating, and it would plunge to the ground if the Key was removed, in case they immediately tried stealing it. Sasagawa had assured her they weren't planning on it.

"Well, it's dark even in the day time," Sasagawa replied. "Only the Oracle Keys, and that prayer I somehow know the words to are the reason we have any light at all."

"Fortunately, they have invented modern electricity, so we don't have to live by candlelight. But I'm sure you've heard of Seasonal Affective Disorder. Living in the dark is proven to have some ill effects on people. That might explain my notorious past behavior that made you so uneasy around me," Karigari continued.

"Seasonal Affective Disorder?" Elma looked as if she'd never heard the term.

"It's more common than you think," said Karigari. "In Miss' case, she gets Drive Head Affective Disorder instead, becoming more depressed when days have gone by where she can't watch them rescuing people. Are you doing alright, Miss?"

"Huh? Y-yeah, I'm okay," she said. "I'm sad that I'll never get to see Drive Head again, but we have all the cool Machine-Sectors here like the ones you built. And it was really exciting getting to meet Team Spider Rider! I imagine they must do some incredible rescues! And of course, I have you!"

"What is a Drive Head?" Queen Elma asked.

"They're a lot like Machine-Sectors," said Karigari. "Only, they don't look like organic bugs, and the organization who developed them leaves a lot to be desired. Well, I could say the same about Mantid. Guess they're more alike than I thought."

"Mantid is the villain in this world," Sasagawa added. "But Team Drive Head were the heroes. They may not be here, but someone needs to stand up to Mantid, and that person is Buguese!"

"I still can't say I can completely understand you," Queen Elma replied. "But you don't seem to have evil intent. Perhaps it was wrong of me to pass judgment without knowing a thing about how Insectors live."

"It's quite grim," Karigari replied. "I wouldn't have imagined one could live like this either. I still can't imagine how they survive without any good steakhouses. You do have those in Nuuma, right?"

"I've never heard of such a place," Elma replied.

"Do you even have cows?" Sasagawa wondered. She hadn't seen any wildlife aside from the spiders, but imagined it might be difficult for livestock to live in the Insector world, which didn't seem to have grass either.

"No. What is a cow?" she asked.

"Nothing you need to worry about," Karigari replied. "But if I ever find a way to bring them here, I'll prepare a nice steak for you. Consider it thanks for the Oracle Key."

"I didn't say you could have the Oracle Key," she replied.

"But, I thought we made it very clear," Sasagawa replied. "Won't you please give it to us? After lowering the castle back to the ground, of course." She held her hands together.

"I'll give the Key to you," she said. "If you'll use your authority to have every last Insector soldier on the ground below leave peacefully."

Sasagawa was gaping, wondering how they could manage that. From what she could see when they landed, when she wasn't just paying attention only to the castle, there were a lot. And this Stags was allegedly of equal rank to Buguese.

"Well that can't be too hard," Karigari replied. "Miss, what are you worrying for? You have my brain on your side."

"Alright," said Sasagawa. "Then, you have a plan already?"

He only smiled in reply. "Hurry to the Machine-Sector!"

Once they were both securely inside, Karigari took off, descending towards the ground. Naturally, a strange Machine-Sector drew the attention of many of the Insectors. Including one in cape, indicating that he was most likely Stags.

"Greetings, Stags. It's your old comrade, Buguese."

"Buguese! Why were you sent to Nuuma?" Stags asked.

"Doesn't seem like there's a problem, does it?" Karigari answered. "No Spider Riders here to get in the way. You even have the upper hand, being able to attack as soon as they lower the castle. And they can't keep it up there forever, can they? Surely they'll run out of food and water."

"But there must be something," said Stags. "What?"

"I was getting to that. Mantid can get very impatient, as you probably know," replied Karigari. "It's as simple as that. He sent me with this flashy new Machine-Sector to get the Key quickly. I've already negotiated with their rather paranoid queen, and she promised to give it to me. Under the conditions that all of you retreat at once."

"You negotiated with the queen?" Stags questioned.

"We did," Sasagawa replied. "That's because Buguese is a hero of justice, fighting to save the Insector world from evil!"

"Is that Aqune?" Stags already looked to be confused, and this only made it more difficult to hide.

"Who else would it be?" Karigari replied. "I negotiated with her help, and now we require your assistance."

"I'm sure you would not lie, Buguese. You would do anything for our people. We will retreat," Stags said.

"Good." Karigari sighed to himself and turned off the speakers. "If they hadn't agreed Miss, I would have offered to design all of them efficient Walker Vehicles like my Machine-Sector, to replace the measly swords and clubs they were carrying. And I'm not sure this primitive looking kingdom who has never experienced steak would have the resources."


Queen Elma, in awe at the sight of the Insector forces departing, kept her word and handed the Key to Karigari and Sasagawa. The two left shortly after, Karigari reminding her that the offer for a steak still stood. He was then dead set on finding a way to invent a dimensional portal and import cows, but that would have to wait until he was king. And Sasagawa was queen. He'd always imagined (delusions as he thought they were) giving her a proper marriage proposal. But Sasagawa seemed quite happy. And well, he still could. It wasn't as if he was king yet.

"Only one more Oracle Key to go!" Sasagawa was holding the new one, Karigari needing both hands free to properly control the Machine-Sector. "When they see this, the Spider Riders might change their mind. At least, I hope so."

"We may be trading out our ride for Snailclone Interceptor before we visit them," said Karigari.

"Why is that?"

"Because we've used an enormous amount of fuel already, flying over the ocean and now back." He glanced at the monitor. They'd be able to make it back, at least.

"Can't we just refuel?" Sasagawa asked. "Or what if we took that other Machine-Sector Mantid made?"

"I'm not even sure where the fuel is stored, and I'd like to avoid staying around for too long. Mantid will get suspicious knowing we came back without the Key. Without the one he expected us to bring that is. Then, I can use whatever fuel is left in this Machine-Sector for the battle against Mantid. I don't think it will need very much."


Of course it was a commotion when Snailclone Interceptor (which Karigari learned had a built-in fueling center for Machine-Sectors, so he brought his custom along with him) passed over the gates to Arachna Kingdom, where the final Oracle Key was now being kept.

Regardless, Karigari and Sasagawa landed it in the grounds outside the castle and stepped right out.

They saw outside a small girl, playing with what looked to be a baby spider. A girl who had certainly noticed them.

"Are you Aqune?"

She seemed genuinely surprised, but not intimidated in the least, despite her small size.

"Yes," Sasagawa replied. "And who are you?"

"I'm Princess Sparkle," the girl replied. "And this is Hotarla. I've wanted to meet you."

"Kyu!" came the voice of the spider.

Princess Sparkle? Sasagawa tilted her head. As far as names went, that was an absurd one.

"But you came here to steal the Oracle Key, didn't you?" Sparkle suddenly looked a bit tougher, or at least was trying to be. She and her spider were both so small and cute.

"Well…" Sasagawa said. "We don't want to steal it. Did the others tell you why we need it?"

"They didn't tell me anything," said Sparkle. Seemingly, that was a sore spot for her.

"That's exactly why they're here." It was that boy with the green spider again. He was there with Hunter and Corona. But it wasn't just those three. There was a boy with extremely tall hair this time, and a younger one with shorter hair, the same color as the princess. They didn't have their spiders out at the moment, but all of them wore manacles just like hers.

"Actually, Miss, show them what we've acquired."

"Right," said Sasagawa. She pulled out the Oracle Key, leading to a chorus of gasps.

"The queen of Nuuma gave this to us," said Sasagawa. "It was thanks for making the Insector soldiers leave. And we offered her a steak dinner too."

"Steak?" Hunter was wide-eyed. "I've never seen steak here in Arachna. You Insectors have it?"

"Not yet," said Karigari. "But the sooner you give up that Key, the sooner we will."

"Well I never give up!" Hunter replied.

"Neither do I," said Karigari. "Some may say my endless plots for revenge against the Mobile Rescue Police are much too excessive over a minor slight. I say that the slight wasn't at all minor, and revenge is eternal. I also realize this means nothing to all of you, and would not like to waste my precious time explaining from the very beginning, so please kindly give the Key to us now." He took a deep breath. He was already wasting precious time.

"How do you expect us to believe you ordered the Insectors to leave Nuuma?" the boy with the tall hair asked.

"I'm glad you asked," said Karigari. "Because I have video proof."

"Huh?" Sasagawa stared at him. Since when? She hadn't seen a camera, and was skeptical that they even existed in this world.

Karigari pulled a chirping bug from beneath his cape. "I've learned through Chirplish that these bugs can not only deliver verbal messages, but visual ones." He was highly proud of himself. "Thus, I secretly recorded the incident with this one I was carrying, knowing I could use it to plead my case to you stubborn Spider Riders. Now…" he patted the bug. "Go on and play it."

The exchange with Stags played from the beginning, and the Spider Riders watched.

"As you can see, I was telling the truth," said Karigari. "But even if I wasn't, you've seen living proof that I got the Key out of that flying castle somehow. Which means that I'm serious about collecting them."

"Alright. You can have the Key." It was the voice of the short-haired boy.

"Prince!" the man with the tall hair shouted. "You can't really mean that."

"I'm serious, Igneous," the prince replied. "But I too have a condition."

Sasagawa was visibly sulking.

"Miss, let's hear what it is," said Karigari.

"You take us with you to the Insector world," he said. "I've never been there before. None of us have. As prince, I'd like to know firsthand what this curse of darkness is like."

"That's brilliant!" Igneous said. "Then we can also assure Buguese won't pull anything sneaky."

"Fine," said Karigari. "There's plenty of room inside Snailclone Interceptor."

Sasagawa smiled. At least that would be an easy condition.

"I have a condition too," said the Rider with the green spider. "Brutus, Spider Out!" The spider then appeared from a light streaming out of his manacle.

"You want to see Portia, right?" Sasagawa asked.

"That's right," he answered. "I want Portia to be reunited with her brother once again."

"Well, I wanted to see Portia too," said Sasagawa. That didn't sound like a problem at all to her. And at least she knew how to bring the spider out of the manacle. "Portia, Spider Out! Ahhhh! That was so cool to say!"

It was even cooler to her when the purple spider appeared before her.

"So you're really mine?! I can ride you?"

"Yes," Portia said.

Despite the strange looks she was getting from everyone but Karigari, Sasagawa climbed on top of the spider. "Buguese, are you recording this too?"

"Of course," he replied with a smile. "Miss the superhero!"


And so, Snailclone Interceptor took off again with the Spider Riders on board. Though, it took some persuading to allow them to bring Sparkle and Hotarla too. Her brother refused, but Sasagawa convinced everyone that it would be fine. After all, they were about to have the powers of all four Oracle Keys on their side.