Rider Time Zi-O: Roze from Remnant
Chapter 45.5 – Nazo Toki Labyrinth
"As it is written in this book, average high schooler Tokiwa Sougo embarks on a path which leads him to become the overlord of time, Oma Zi-O," Woz narrated as he read through his book. "With the threat of Geiz Revive and the Time Jacker's next move looming over our heroes, they have yet to realize that there is what one might call a third player behind the scenes waiting to make his move. And on a seemingly normal day of relaxation and fun… he will do just that."
Woz soon snapped his book closed, "Oh dear… perhaps I've read too far this time."
Earth – Mid February 2019
Several Days after the Another Kikai Incident…
Ruby stared at the empty room that belonged to her teammates from the doorway. While she and Weiss were out, both Blake and Yang had gotten their essentials and essentially left. She wondered if this was because they were basically siding with Shiro-Woz at this point. Some relief came in the form of Geiz and Tsukuyomi reassuring her that they weren't truly allying with Shiro-Woz. But it still hurt to see two of her friends leave. Even then she had some relief filling her as she stared at her phone, seeing that her funds were currently being used at a cheap but decent hotel.
At the very least that fully confirmed they weren't living directly with Shiro-Woz so there was that. She was also admittedly glad that they had decided to hook up multiple cards to her account. Even if that meant she could technically track them, she was at least relieved with what she was seeing.
"I swear…"
Ruby gave a yelp and jumped as she turned, seeing Weiss directly behind her, "Weiss! Don't scare me like that!"
Weiss gave a sigh as she put a hand to her head, "Stop getting scared so easily, it's just the two of us remember?"
"R-Right…" Ruby gave a nod, glancing back at a mirror that was in the room and not seeing her reflection, "Just the two of us…"
"You said it yourself," Weiss added. "They're spending money at a hotel, it's clear that they're just distancing themselves from us because of their opinions. Yang probably thinks it's easier that way than to confront you every day."
"I suppose so," Ruby agreed before giving a sigh and entering the room before sitting on the bottom bunk. "At this point I just want to talk to her about it… try some way to convince her… figure out why she's so concerned about Sougo…"
"I can only assume Blake went along with her to make sure she wasn't alone," Weiss guessed. "While she was one of the other vocal ones back in Remnant, she still seemed rather relaxed."
"At the very least it they're not directly working with Shiro-Woz," Ruby gave a nod before pausing, "Weiss… what do you think about Sougo?"
Weiss couldn't help but stammer a bit before turning away as she gave a blush, thinking her friend meant something entirely different, "W-What brought that on?"
"Well it's just, you've helped him study, been generally supportive, and haven't once thought he'd become Oma Zi-O despite seeing Zi-O II in action," Ruby listed off.
"Oh…" Weiss soon realized what Ruby meant at the end before clearing her throat and glancing back at her partner, "I mean… honestly I still doubt that he'd ever become that. Yeah that looks like his future but… have you seen Sougo?"
"That's a bit mean Weiss," Ruby couldn't help but laugh a bit, "…But oh so true."
"Being a bit serious though…" Weiss spoke further, "While I think you two could easily be brother and sister and I see some of you in him, I can understand how he might feel and I think that's why I chose to stick by him."
"What do you mean by that?" Ruby asked.
"I kind of see myself in him," Weiss admitted as she clasped her hands together, "It feels like how when people would see me they'd only see Jacque's Schnee's daughter, the inevitable heiress of the SDC and the next in line to continue the companies horrible practices. Just like how people won't see Sougo Tokiwa but Oma Zi-O instead."
"Weiss…" Ruby muttered.
"I'd like to believe that Sougo won't become Oma Zi-O," Weiss said with confidence, "I mean after all I was able to change, and I'd like to believe he'll change the future as well."
"Good point," Ruby smiled.
"Now then how about we get some fresh air," Weiss suggested at seeing her friend in a better mood, "Maybe meet with some of your Rider friends or do something you think is fun?"
"Hmm…" Ruby trailed a bit before snapping her fingers, she then began to text for a few minutes before giving a nod. "I think I've got it… but I'm not too sure if you'd be interested…"
Weiss crossed her arms, "Try me."
Weiss could only hang her head down in defeat as she sat on a circular bench that was underneath a small pavilion. Ruby was currently rubbing her friends back as she watched the scene before her intently.
Emu and Poppy were nearby, watching the current situation, their faces making small shifts as they saw the scene before them.
"Come on!" Parad called out as all eyes were on him, the Bugster having the usual Genm Corp handheld out as he was playing Mighty Action X. He was at the main boss Salty, and was just one hit away from beating him, "Go!" He called as he pressed the buttons rapidly, "Now for a dash!" He gave a pause before cheering out, "All right that's game clear!"
"Wow! Your concentration is amazing, just like Emu!" Poppy called out.
"Ah, you got the high score out of all four of us too!" Emu pointed out as he, Parad, Ruby and Weiss were playing with the games score attack function.
In First Place was Parad, not too far behind in points and tied for Second Place were Emu and Ruby surprisingly, and in last place with barely any points ended up being Weiss.
"I warned you Weiss…" Ruby patted her friends back. "Parad and Emu are like real good."
"If it's any consolation, for your first time playing Mighty Action X you didn't do that badly," Emu complimented.
"I-I could barely see because the sun was in my eyes," Weiss stood up, her competitive streak starting to come back as she wanted another go, "Who designs a pavilion with a glass ceiling anyway? You all just got lucky because it got super cloudy!"
Ruby couldn't help but snicker a bit at her friend's excuses, "Want to go again somewhere else then?"
Weiss gave a huff as she crossed her arms, "Yes, but only because this time for sure I'll win!"
"Ooh, my bloods pumping," Parad grinned, glad to see that Weiss had a competitive side to her.
"I think I know a good spot then," Emu added. "Plus it's getting pretty windy here too."
"Sounds good to me," Ruby gave a nod.
As the five made sure they had everything collected they began to walk away from the pavilion.
"HEY!" everyone paused when they heard a familiar voice. It was in fact Dan Kuroto Shin who was still in his prison but it being broadcasted through a tablet. "Hey, you forgot something! I'm over here! God is right here!"
"Oh, we did forget something!" Poppy called out.
"Oh right, forgot we brought Kuroto with us," Ruby realized.
"Isn't this guy a criminal?" Weiss asked, remembering what Ruby had told her and the others about Kuroto Dan. "Why bring him out and about in the first place?"
"Well he's under our jurisdiction," Emu explained.
"Plus I figured he could use some fresh air," Poppy admitted as she took hold of the tablet.
Kuroto cleared his throat, "It's your first day off in a while, my dear friends! Wouldn't you rather spend it playing a newer more exciting game that's a cut above the rest?"
Parad tilted his head, "A more exciting game? Like what?"
"I'm sure you know already, but I'm not letting you out no matter what," Poppy called out.
"I know," Kuroto pointed out before holding a hand close to his chest, "I've had a change of heart. As the father of Bugsters, and the Game Master, I've decided to commit myself to making fun games that can make everyone smile!" He soon held up two blank Gashats.
Weiss scoffed, "I've known him for less than an hour and I don't buy it."
"Yeah… I have to agree," Ruby gave a nod.
"He's probably up to something weird again," Emu admitted.
"Let's just go," Parad suggested as he turned to walk off.
Ruby and Emu both agreed before turning to take off after Parad.
"Can we leave him here too?" Weiss asked, but she was surprised when Poppy had actually put the tablet down. She then turned to follow after the others.
"Be good now," Poppy smiled before turning. "We'll be back later!"
"H-Hey, wait!" Kuroto called out. "Hey! Hey!"
"He never gives up, huh?" Parad asked.
"I feel like that's an understatement," Emu admitted.
"O-Oh? Could it be? The genius gamer doesn't think he can clear this game?" Kuroto called out in a teasing voice, "And does the wonderful rose based Rider not want a new toy?"
Ruby immediately turned, "New toy? You mean like a new weapon?!"
Weiss could only give a sigh as she glanced at her friend, "Ruby…"
"B-But I haven't gotten a new Weapon Time in forever!" Ruby whined a bit.
Both girls however felt a shiver down their spine when they saw Emu and Parad turn, the two triggered by Kuroto's playful mocking.
"Interesting," Parad grinned. "Emu, let's see who can clear it first."
"All right, but since he mentioned Ruby let's make it a team based game," Emu suggested.
"Then I'll choose Emu!" Ruby called out as she hurried over to Emu's side.
Parad stared in surprise, "Traitor…"
"You forget just like you and Emu are rivals, so are you and I," Ruby stuck her tongue out.
"Then I'll join Parad," Weiss gave a smile as she walked over to the Bugsters side, "He did score the highest in the last match after all."
In a flash of pink the four of them were transported to the front of a luxurious mansion. Both Ruby and Weiss stared in surprise as they both had their weapons on them, while Parad and Emu both had Gamer Drivers on with one blank Gashat each. One interesting thing of note was that Poppy was nowhere to be seen.
"This is a game that blends riddles and adventure, Nazotoki Labyrinth!" Kuroto announced from all around. "In this game, you must solve the three riddles hidden within the maze to rescue Poppy."
Parad stared at the mansion, "Riddles?"
"I guess the adventure part means fighting," Ruby looked over at Crescent Rose.
"If Miss Rose could bring out two Blank Ridewatches," Kuroto directed.
Ruby raised an eyebrow and held up the two Blank Ridewatches just as requested. Blue and Red data rained down and flooded into the blank watches, transforming them into Ridewatches. Both had a gold base while one had a blue dial and button while the other had a red dial and button. On the blue dial was an white goggled narrow eyed Rider with a high gold collar, while the other was a red faced Rider that looked like a fighter.
Something different about the Ridewatches too were that the picture was flat and the dial couldn't be turned. Ruby couldn't help but look over them in surprise.
"This is… different," Ruby admitted, though she noted that the Ridewatches seemed to be easier to create in some regards. After all, Kouta was able to just pour his power to create his, and the ones for the Riders they met in 1994 were triggered just by being near their transformations.
"Huh, those look like their based on my old forms," Parad noted.
Kuroto soon spoke up once more, "Each of the Genius Gamers partners will be taking one of each. Their meaning will become clear soon enough. Please, enjoy your adventure in this mysterious maze to your heart's content."
"Interesting," Weiss said as she held out her hand and received the gold and blue Ridewatch.
"Sounds good," Emu gave a nod, "Ruby and I will solve these riddles with no continues."
"This is so exciting!" Parad grinned. "It's on, you two."
"May the best pair win," Weiss looked over at her friend.
"Good luck to you too," Ruby gave a grin.
And with that the pairs raced off deep into the mansion, both groups splitting their own ways once there was a good enough path to do so.
Emu and Ruby were currently searching through the various halls, trying to figure out where the first riddle could be. That was until Ruby noticed something bright after passing by a hall with Emu, she quickly back peddled, "Emu!"
Emu began to walk backwards before glancing down the hall that Ruby was pointing. At the end was a door with a bright yellow sign that held a sun symbol. Emu squinted, "A sun?"
The two quickly entered the room, finding it mostly empty. There a sun banner on the wall that was the same as the one that was on the door. But also there were three portraits in the room.
Ruby tilted her head, "Kuroto… and um… who?"
Emu recognized the all three portraits however. In the center was one of a more cleaned up Kuroto Dan. The painting on their left held an older man in a grey business suit with brown hair. While the one on the right held a more portly man with slicked back hair and a white suit.
"They're all past presidents of Genm Corporation," Emu explained as he had to contain his shock, "The one on our left is Masamune Dan, Kuroto's father. The one on our right is Ren Amagasaki, a Bugster known as Lovelica."
Ruby couldn't help but look around, "Huh… so are they all the hints we get?"
"I suppose so," Emu said as he stared at the portraits for a while, "Looking at this, I've realized… all of Genm's presidents in the past have been bad people."
"Jeez," Ruby grimaced, "Were the other two really that bad?"
"Yeah, Lovelica and Masamune were responsible for escalating the Chronicle Incident," Emu gave a nod. "It ended up so bad that we had to work with Kuroto for a short time just to end it."
"I've had a change of heart. As the father of Bugsters, and the Game Master, I've decided to commit myself to making fun games that can make everyone smile!"
Kuroto's prior words echoed through them as the two tried to figure out what was going on with the riddle. That was until Emu realized something.
"The father of… Bugsters…?" Emu trailed.
"Wait… Father so…" Ruby trailed.
Emu and Ruby both let out a yelp of realization as they looked at each other, the two pointing as they both figured out what the riddle was going for.
"I see… So that's what this riddle is," Emu realized.
"I almost didn't realize at first because Japanese isn't my native language," Ruby admitted. "It's pretty clever."
At the same time, both Parad and Weiss were looking around for any sort of riddle that they could find. Weiss starting to wander on her own as she wondered where it would even be.
"Weiss," Parad called out as he gestured for her to come over, "I think I found it."
Weiss turned and walked back to Parad, looking in the direction he pointed. She then saw a blue banner with a yellow crescent moon, "A moon?"
"This has to be it," Parad said as he led the way forward.
The two would find themselves in a similar room to the one that Emu and Ruby found themselves in. A fairly bare room with three portraits along the wall, and a moon banner off to the side.
The center of the portraits was Parad's usual form, Para-DX Level 99, to the two's left they'd see the CR Logo while to the right they'd see an armored Ex-Aid with a giant face for a chest. This was Ex-Aid Maximum Gamer Level 99.
"What kind of hints are these supposed to be?" Weiss asked.
"Clever ones," Parad answered.
"I know one's the CR Logo, and the middle is your Rider form," Weiss pointed out, "But what's with that Ex-Aid?"
"It's Emu's Level 99 form," Parad explained. "You know that Ridewatch you have? I used to only have two Level 50 forms. But that changed when Emu and I fought harder, I eventually ended up getting Level 99 to match him."
"You two fought?" Weiss asked.
"I was a bit of a nuisance back in the day," Parad gave a soft chuckle, "Back then I was just set on showing Emu who the strongest Level 99 was. I never honestly thought I'd end up working with CR."
"So what do these have in common?" Weiss asked.
"Hmm…" Parad trailed before suddenly realizing it, "Of course… you're not too familiar with Japanese right?"
"Unfortunately no," Weiss shook her head.
"Don't worry about not getting it," Parad reassured. "But it's a play on words."
Weiss raised an eyebrow, "A play on words?"
With both teams having figured both riddles out and no way to truly give those answers, they took off to find the third riddle. Eventually both teams found the other making their way forward as they approached the final door.
"Emu, Ruby, you guys solved your riddle already?" Parad asked.
"Looks like you guys did too," Ruby pointed out.
"Of course we have," Weiss called proudly despite not really getting what Parad meant when he told her the answer.
"You two have done pretty well for a sudden combination," Emu remarked.
"Then let's see who can solve the third one first," Parad suggested.
The group soon came across a door with a blue banner that held a star, when the four entered the room they'd find a fairly empty room with star banners and one door. Said door however was being blocked by a multicolored and bulky puzzle based Bugster, the Hatena Bugster. One thing of note was this version of the Bugster was modified via the addition of various numbers all over its body.
The Bugster gave a chuckle as it turned towards the group.
"What even is that?" Weiss questioned as she raised Myrtenaster.
"Oh, so that's why we have our weapons," Ruby readied Crescent Rose.
"That looks like the Hatena Bugster," Emu said before scratching his head, "Something feels off though."
"I am the final riddle," The Hatena Bugster declared. "Do you have what it takes to defeat me?"
"I bet that's what the Gashats are for," Emu said as he readied is driver before opening it up. But no announcement sounded despite him opening it up to activate the transformation. "Huh? It won't do anything." He tried opening and closing it multiple times, "Yeah, no, nothing."
"Oh well, time for our shot," Ruby took aim and fired at the Hatena Bugster.
MISS
"Huh?" Weiss moved in and jabbed, striking the Bugsters stomach.
MISS
Weiss gave a yelp as she dodged out of the way of the Hatena Bugsters staff.
"Okay seriously?" Ruby asked as she got an idea, "Wait, I got it!" She loaded in the red and gold Ridewatch she had. She began to take aim before realizing she didn't hear an announcement, "Wait, what?"
The Hatena Bugster gave a laugh as he began attacking everyone in the room, Emu dodged around to try and find a hint while Parad worked to block and hold the Bugster down, Ruby and Weiss used their weapons range to either block or parry the Hatena Bugsters attacks.
After a while of getting nowhere Parad figured a new alternative was needed, "Emu, what was the riddle you and Ruby solved?"
"There were three portraits on the wall, each of a president of Genm Corporation, all father and son," Emu explained.
"Kuroto's the son of Masamune, and Ren/Lovelica in a sense is Kuroto's son," Ruby added.
"On the door was a sun, the thing the two points have in common is…" Emu trailed.
"Son and sun sound like three in Japanese – san!" Parad called out.
"Wait another wordplay based riddle?" Weiss questioned.
"What do you mean another?" Ruby asked.
The Hatena Bugster went on the attack again, all four players dodging and blocking their way past him.
"There were three paintings in our room, too," Parad explained.
"Two of them were Ex-Aid and Para-DX's Level 99 forms," Weiss pointed out. "The last one was the CR Logo, but…"
"You didn't get it at first," Parad admitted, "But remember that CR stands for Cyber Rescue… so the common point is…"
"That's it," Emu realized, "In Japanese, 99 and rescue are both kyuu-kyuu."
"Bingo!" Parad smiled, "I've got to say, playing games with you all is the best!"
"As much as I'd love to not bring down the moment," Weiss quickly brought out a Glyph to block the Hatena Bugsters forward assault.
"Right," Emu called out as he went to grab onto Hatena to force the Bugster back.
"Emu… I need to confess something," Parad admitted as he went to grab at Hatena to help Weiss and Emu out. "We fought each other as Level 99s for so long, but you still took me in as an ally… and now!"
Hatena tried to force his way through only for Emu and Parad to kick him away, Weiss forcing her glyph further to bounce him back.
"It's thanks to that, that I'm here today Emu." Parad finished.
"I should thank you too. We were able to put an end to the Genm presidents' fight…" Emu smiled. "…Because of your power. You gave me the power of the genius gamer M."
"Are we really doing this right now?!" Weiss questioned.
"I kind of like it," Ruby admitted, "Get all the warm and fuzzy feelings going."
The four players quickly dodged out of the way of a charging Hatena, Emu and Parad pairing up while Ruby and Weiss did the same.
"Honestly, I have something to admit Weiss," Ruby managed to find her words after seeing Emu and Parad do the same. "I'm really glad you've stood by mine and Sougo's side this whole time despite everything. Especially now, you didn't have to join us today but you did, I really appreciate it."
"That's honestly small for what you did for me, you and the others… but especially you," Weiss' expression softened, "You helped open my heart, and as a result I became a better person. Of course I'd stick by your side. I told you I'd be the perfect partner and I meant it."
"Emu…"
"…Parad."
"Ruby…"
"…Weiss."
"Thank you!"
As if reacting to their words, both the Gashats and Ridewatches began to glow, launching outwards and in front of the two pairs of partners. The resulting activation of trinkets had caused a strange new reaction between both sets.
That Gashats combined together into a Double Gashat, an orange back with a pink front. On it was Mighty with the title, Knockout Fighter 2.
The Ridewatches meanwhile slid into each other, combining and forming a new Ridewatch. This one held a red backing with a blue dial and button, Para-DX Level 99's helmet on the front as this was a full and complete Ridewatch.
Emu quickly took hold of his item, "That Gashat's complete!"
Ruby took hold of her Ridewatch, "A Para-DX Ridewatch, nice!"
"Let's clear this together, Emu, Ruby, Weiss!" Parad called out as he held his fist out to Emu.
Emu gave a nod and pounded his fist to Parad's, the bugster becoming blue and red particles that swirled into Emu's body, the pediatricians eyes shining a bright red.
"We'll give you support, you kick this guys butt!" Ruby pumped her fist into the air.
"Agreed," Weiss gave a nod.
[KNOCK OUT FIGHTER 2!]
"Henshin!" Emu called out as he loaded in the Gashat before opening his Driver up.
[DOUBLE GASHAT! GACHAN! DOUBLE UP!]
Emu took an almost boxing stance as he punched forward to initiate the transformation. As the screen slid back, Emu was covered in orange digital energy that split into two.
[ORE TO BOKU NO KOBUSHI! (OW!) YUUJOU NO AKASHI! CHOU KYOURYOKU PLAY! KNOCK OUT FIGHTER 2!]
Parad had reformed, the new Gashat giving him his old form of Knock Out Fighter Level 50, the only difference being he had a Gamer Driver on now. Emu meanwhile gained a black and orange accented variant of his normal suit, having orange head gear with a V-Fin, alongside an orange chest piece and shoulders and two pink enlarged metal fists.
"Huh… not bad," Weiss remarked.
"So cool," Ruby's eyes sparkled as she saw the two transformed.
"It suits you," Parad complimented.
"It's been a while since you had that look," Emu remarked before hitting the button on his holster, "But it's too cramped in here."
[STAGE SELECT!]
In a flash of pixels the group were transported to an open field with trees all around them that made a makeshift arena.
"We'll clear this with perfect co-op!" Emu and Parad declared as they pointed their fists forward.
Ruby began firing at the Hatena Bugsters feet to corral and trap him in a set position, Weiss aiming and forming a gravity glyph to keep him from moving too much.
Both Emu and Parad rushed in the two punching with several rapid jabs…
MISS
MISS
MISS
Despite landing their attacks, both Riders were unable to cause damage, just like how Ruby and Weiss were unable to as well.
"Why…?" Parad backed up.
"Our attacks aren't working," Emu realized.
Hatena yelled out as he managed to slam his staff into the ground, unleashing a burst of energy that broke the glyph underneath him. He then aimed and began launching out puzzle block shaped projectiles at everyone.
Ruby gave a yelp as she used Petal Burst on herself and Weiss to help carry them to safety. Both Emu and Parad meanwhile both began to duck and weave while dodging, splitting up and coming on both sides of Hatena, the two punching only to keep getting MISS markers.
"This is a game of riddles! You cannot defeat me with brute strength," Hatena gave a laugh as he smacked both Riders back before blasting them away.
Ruby shifted her Petal Burst into the direction of both Riders, both her and Weiss sliding out of it.
"What are we missing?" Weiss questioned.
"I'm not sure… he shouldn't be invincible," Parad called out before realizing something, "Wait… Emu did he have numbers on him before?"
"No he didn't…" Emu said as he scanned the body, "Parad…"
"Yeah, I've solved it too!" Parad called out.
"San…"
"KyuuKyuu…"
"Thank you…"
"San(3)… Kyuu(9)…"
"Thank you," Emu pointed forward with his fist, "That's the answer!"
Both Emu and Parad closed up their Gamer Drivers to charge up their finisher.
[KIMEWAZA!]
"We'll give you some support then," Ruby called out as she loaded the Para-DX Ridewatch into Crescent Rose before aiming, "Ice Flower!"
[FINISH TIME!]
"No need to tell me twice," Weiss quickly brought out glyphs in front of the barrel of Crescent Rose.
"You won't win that easily!" Hatena called out before launching out puzzle block projectiles once more.
[PARA-DX SASU SASU SHOOT!]
Ruby began launching out jigsaw puzzle pieces as projectiles, the projectiles passing through the glyphs that Weiss made. The glyphs were infused with ice dust, the puzzle projectiles freezing solid as they launched out. Both projectile attacks clashed with each other, the frozen puzzle pieces breaking through the puzzle blocks, freezing and shattering them.
A few frozen puzzle pieces struck at Hatena who braced with his staff, he was surprised to see that his staff had completely frozen over, "No way!"
[KNOCK OUT CRITICAL KNUCKLE!]
Both Emu and Parad gathered bright explosive energy into their fists, the two running and jumping towards the Bugster. Emu went for a punch with his right, while Parad went for a punch with his left. Parad had hit first, slamming his fist against a three, while Emu's fist hit against the 9 on Hatena's body.
"San and Kyuu make Thank You! That is correct!" Hatena called out in a strained voice before exploding.
[K.O.!]
"Nice fight!" Emu held his fist out.
"Yeah," Parad bumped fists with his partner.
The two's transformation dismissed itself as the Game Area disappeared, returning all four of them back to the room.
"Not bad you two," Weiss said as she walked forward.
"Yeah, you guys were great!" Ruby called out.
"You two weren't half bad yourselves," Emu complimented. "That finisher was really something else."
"The two of us are invincible when we team up," Parad put a hand on Emu's shoulder before thinking a bit, "So that means… the four of us are Super Invincible when we team up!"
Emu, Ruby and Weiss couldn't help but laugh a bit at Parad's statement, the three nodding in agreement.
An audible unlocking sound was heard as the door the Hatena Bugster was guarding was now open.
"Let's go get Poppy," Emu suggested.
"Sounds good to me," Ruby agreed.
Parad led the way forward since he was the closest to the door, the group entering a bright room filled with light. When the light faded however they'd find themselves in an empty gloomy room with only a single chair.
"Huh, what's going on?" Weiss asked.
"What now?" Parad groaned out as he decided to just sit in the chair. "There's no one here!"
"Poppy if you're there, say something!" Emu called out.
[GAME CLEAR!]
With the announcement the four were returned to the gazebo area that they were playing Mighty Action X at. Waiting for them was Poppy who seemed bored out of her mind.
"Huh?" Parad looked around.
"The game ended…" Emu trailed.
Ruby meanwhile stared at her latest acquisition when she noticed that the genius gamer duo didn't keep their new Gashat, "Huh, do I only get to keep my prize?"
"Odd," Weiss remarked.
Poppy soon realized everyone was back giving a groan, "Geez, how could you guys just leave me here and just go off to play by yourselves?!"
"What?" Parad asked. "You… weren't you trapped in the maze?"
"Huh? What's this about?" Poppy questioned.
"So what was that riddle game about, after all?" Emu questioned.
"A mystery about a mystery…" Ruby trailed and put a hand to her chin.
"Please no… I'd rather not have to deal with another pun or wordplay game…" Weiss gave a groan as she slumped forward.
"Oh well, no use worrying," Parad put a hand on Emu's shoulder, he looked around, "Wasn't that fun, guys?"
"It was," Emu agreed.
"I got a new Ridewatch~!" Ruby called in a sing song voice.
"Despite the weirdness and fighting… that was rather fun to just go through," Weiss admitted with a smile.
"Maybe Kuroto did have a change of heart after all!" Poppy realized, when she was questioned she began to spin around everyone, "Because you four played his game, and now you're all smiles!" She gave a smile before hurrying over to the tablet, "Thank you for making such a fun game, Kuroto!" She picked it up before her face dropped, "Huh…? Kuroto?"
"What's up?" Emu asked as he walked over with the others.
"Um…" Poppy turned to show the video feed of Kuroto's digital prison, except there was one important thing missing from it. Kuroto himself was absent and no longer there, and the room was bare enough to where he couldn't be hiding either. Kuroto… had escaped.
"Genm has… disappeared?" Parad questioned.
"Oh no…" Ruby muttered when she realized what might have happened.
"Just what exactly was that game after all?" Weiss asked.
Kuroto could only take a deep breath as he viewed the outside world for the first time in what felt like ages. He stood at the edge of a building, hands in his pockets as he took in the view. This was a plan he had considered doing later, a year later at the very least. But given the circumstances with every Rider having their own issues, and the Time Jackers lurking, now was the perfect time.
Kuroto glanced back however, "I have no plans on being your king."
The person approaching him was Swartz who merely smirked, "Of course not, but I've heard you collected quite a lot of data on prior Riders. I'm very greatly interested in that data…"
"Perhaps if the offer is worth it to me… but what could you offer a God?" Kuroto asked as he bent backwards while tilting his head.
"A place where no one will find you," Swartz answered, his smirk growing into a grin, "A place to call your own and sit until you're ready to strike."
To Be Continued…
Next Time: Chapter 46 – The Queen's First Move 2019
Author's Note: Wasn't expecting me to adapt the Para-DX Hyper Battle DVD into this story, were you? It was for a few reasons. If you know what this special leads into, you know exactly why I brought this into play. Not to mention I wanted to give Ruby a Para-DX Ridewatch to expand her arsenal just a bit, it has been a while since she got a normal Weapon Time to play with.
I wouldn't worry about Kuroto's escape at the moment though, we've currently go bigger fish to fry as we enter one of the bigger sets of chapters in this story. With that said, thanks for reading and I'll see you guys next time.