Fictions Mentioned:

Episode 33

OP Song:

Summertime Render OP/Opening 2 Full『Natsuyume Noisy (夏夢ノイジー)』by Asaka

Insert Song: Start

Dies irae - Animation OST: Unus Mundus

...There was the sound of an explosion, a rather violent one at that, one that was heard rumbling throughout the castle halls.

"An explosion," muttered one Albert Wesker who raised an eyebrow, not bothered by what is now transpiring. He was seated casually on a chair while he looks at the dark western figure with red eyes—GameOver who had both hands behind his back. He was just watching from a holographic field projector screen showing the scene that was now taking place. Of how George Kurai—Kamen Rider Zi-O would gain the powers and abilities of Cure Yell through the newly created Ridewatch.

Of course, in light of that scenario, it relates to the explosion that had happened at some part of the building.

"You knew that the explosion was going to happen somehow, didn't you? That was why you asked Joker to head to one of those nearby rooms in case something were to happen, like say the creation of a new Ridewatch of the same ontological type," Wesker assessed the situation.

"An experimental test if you would prefer to describe what had just happened," GameOver explained. He looks at both Daruizen and Another Cure Yell who have surprised expressions based on what had just happened. "The creation of the Ridewatches in relation to the HUGtto! Precure would mark the first step, and with it, the temporal linkage effect that it would have. Before this, I have monitored a few temporal ripples in relation to potential Ridewatch creations, all across various points throughout the Precure's timeline, as you can all see from the map on your screen."

GameOver was indicating the presence of several pink dots that would indicate the temporal zones of PC Universe-2004.

"So that's why you sent us to create Another Ex-Aid in one precise point in the past and why you had Impasse attack from another precise point in the past," Daruizen muttered softly, looking at all of these patterns. He was walking a few meters to the screen, looking intently at every single dot. Some were of a darkened color, indicating no temporal presence, while those with more lightened colors were indicating that there were in fact potential interferences.

Daruizen looks at GameOver. "It wasn't just a coincidence that Zi-O would get the powers of Cure Yell and the rest of the HUGtto! Precure. You intended to draw attention to him."

"Like lighting a beacon," GameOver muttered coldly, sending a chill down Daruizen's spine.

Daruizen would gulp at the mere presence of this being. This being with red eyes, one whose mere identity was unknown to him and to all. Of course, he was grateful at the fact that he was saved from his original intended fate. He was in fact supposed to die when he was absorbed by his former leader, King Byogen. But he was spared, plucked out from the last second, and now here he was. Much older and experienced, with his own set of goals to accomplish.

"News and even whispers will spread throughout the corners of Creation regarding this unmistakable temporal phenomenon. The Precure have made direct contact with George Kurai, the chosen successor of Kamen Rider Zi-O, and with it the conflation of an infinitude of possibilities at our disposal. Our past few battles that occurred not too long ago have all been leading up to this, not only in order to find ways that can potentially hinder our foes, but to keep track of the movements of other factions and powers who have more ulterior motives besides and simultaneously our own. As all of you are more than aware from our last gathering of unique individuals, there have been shall we say ripples in time that have been slowly detected around the mainline universe, and with it, these ripples would seemingly connect with other times and dimensions. Zi-O's mere presence is forming an irregular symbiotic temporal link between time and multiple realities. With its characters, with its heroes, and with its villains. Yes, the unpredictability of worlds being opened, of the familiar and the unfamiliar," GameOver explained.

"Yes, you did once explain to me in the past that Zi-O was never even supposed to have been Zi-O, that he would have never made as much of an impact in the timeline as he did then as it is now," Wesker noted with a cold, calculated interest.

"Yes, that one event that changed everything," GameOver muttered, his expression being indecipherable.

And while he was speaking, Another Cure Yell would flinch as he would recall a very private conversation that GameOver had with her. It was a very long time ago but it was something that made a deep impression on her.

"Have you never thought it odd, my dear?" GameOver asked.

"What do you mean, GameOver-sama?" Another Cure Yell asked with a respectful tone.

"I would mean as to how and why exactly did George Kurai became Kamen Rider Zi-O?"

GameOver's question admittedly bothered her. She knew of course. She knew that at some specific point in time, her darling was sent to another world, another Earth full of heroes and normals. And on that same Earth, on one dark day that turned blood night, Ultron had appeared and within the next 24 hours or so, decimated entire countries and laid waste to the population. No hero survived the onslaught. Dead bodies were everywhere, laying from every corner. Those who survive would not be fortunate either as sooner than later, they will be hunted down and killed without mercy.

George Kurai, the man who was never supposed to have been in that universe, was the only confirmed survivor.

But why was that the case?

Yes, Another Cure Yell knew the cause of it, the power of Kamen Rider Zi-O was given to him, and none other than Madoka Kaname herself, the magical girl who made the ultimate sacrifice to become the Law of Cycles and finally put an end to a threat that had long since plagued her universe. She was the one who ultimately gave Zi-O the power to do what needed to be done. But...

...But whatever GameOver was suggesting, it appeared that there was a missing piece to the puzzle. And that would be how exactly did George Kurai ended up in that specific universe, on that precise timing that could not just have been a mere coincidence.

"I can at least confirm for myself after so many years of silent observations that there appears to be an unknown force that had intentionally manipulated that particular circumstance, by putting George Kurai in that specific position that would urge the Law of Cycles to intervene, and then the rest of the dominoes would fall shortly, causing a chain reaction that would affect temporal events," GameOver stated.

"You see my dear," GameOver continued. "George Kurai was never intended to become Zi-O."

"Eh?" Another Cure Yell muttered in shock.

Her darling? Not even intended to become Zi-O?

"What do you mean?" Another Cure Yell asked, some lingering part of her wanting to object as he was every bit of a king that she dreamt of.

"He was...admittedly a special case that required catering to special needs. There have been plenty of candidates to choose from in the vast Multiverse, many of more worthwhile accomplishments and dreams, but why him? Why him specifically and not any of the other candidates? His dream was not like the original Zi-O nor of Ohma Zi-O. He never dreamed of being a king, and yet, he was chosen for the role of Zi-O, as if it was planned from the very beginning. That alone concerns me because of the strategic position that had now been acquired by the young man."

GameOver would look at Another Cure Yell in the eye, the latter being intimidated by it due to its coldness that made one think of a soulless individual, lacking the traits that the term 'villain' would be used upon him. No emotion, no weight. And yet, his crimson eyes that hauntingly glowed in the dark and the charismatic voice that can make one shut his mouth in silence, would leave a great impression upon her.

"Ummm. Could it be that..."

"No."

GameOver would cut off what Another Cure Yell had been thinking.

"It is not Ohma Zi-O that did something like this I'm afraid. The alignment does not match. One can make the argument that both are pre-destined to be tragic villains in their own universe. Ohma Zi-O wanted to rule as the most beloved king of all, but only ended up as a brutal tyrant, a despot king with bitter regrets, while George Kurai wanted to find a way to stop the future from occurring by stopping time at a precise moment in the past so that everything would become eternal, where everyone can be happy, and where everyone can no longer die. What may perhaps be noble intentions was in reality covered with unadulterated selfishness and grief. Both had someone they cared for that were taken away so soon in death. Ohma Zi-O? His uncle. George Kurai? His wife."

GameOver shakes his head.

"No, that's merely looking at it from an unsophisticated surface level. Someone else is pulling the strings here. And I fear that if George was ever forced to become Zi-O, then the implications of it would lead me to realize that we may perhaps be at looking at days yet to come, of times that have to be prepared, when everything would have the necessary pieces fall into place."

Then, Another Cure Yell would scrunch her eyebrows and think it over. Something told her that GameOver was giving her a few hints regarding the complicated state of affairs regarding her dearly beloved darling. Days yet to come? Of times that have yet to be prepared? When everything would have the necessary pieces fall into place?

She tried to think things over. Who would be so interested in making her darling undergo what he had gone through?

"...Wait, could it be..."

Another Cure Yell muttered as her face turn to one of silent horror. She looks at GameOver who pretty much confirmed with a pleased nod.

"I see you have noticed the pattern."

Then he said.

"Yes, I said that Ohma Zi-O did not cause this, but I was referring to the original Ohma Zi-O. I never however left out the possibility that someone else was carrying the title of Ohma Zi-O and that he was ultimately the one who sent George Kurai right into Ultron's line of sights and piqued the latter's interest. He sent George into that parallel Earth, inadvertently undergoing the traumatic experiences that would form him and define who he would eventually become."

"But..." Another Cure Yell muttered, her eyebrows denoting confusion.

"The concept of meta-time, my dear," GameOver simply replied. "To put it simply, things of great significance that can happen in the future may end up rippling back towards the present when the future has yet to even come to pass. This Ohma Zi-O would probably have been born or created from a paradoxical uncertainty, from a timeline that by all rights should not even exist. George Kurai's status in the timeline is unique in that he can be considered to be just an ordinary boy with the issues of losing one's loved ones such as his parents and yet...has the power of an infinity of potential in store."

What GameOver was referring to was the issues surrounding George Kurai, in the mental, emotional, and spiritual spectrum. Just of the death of his parents, there were already issues to begin with. Now, what if one were to say exacerbate the issues further and then find out about something that he'd rather not want to see, but cannot unsee?

"Why are you telling this to me specifically, GameOver-sama?" Another Cure Yell asked.

"Because...you, despite hailing from another universe, are intimately connected to him, more than even you may realize..." GameOver answered ominously with a flash of his blood red eyes.

Flashforward to the present and Another Cure Yell was silently biting her lips, with arms crossed, focusing on whatever is the next thing that she needed too.

"And...what do you suppose that we do in the meantime?" Daruizen asked.

"For the moment, nothing," GameOver said. "For now, we are to wait, at least when it relates to this specific universe."

"I see..." Daruizen closed his eyes a bit, putting both of his hands in his pockets. "Well, if you were to excuse me, GameOver-sama, if I have nothing of a role to fill in at this time."

"You are excused," GameOver replied.

Daruizen simply walked before slowly opening one of his eyes sideways to look at Another Cure Yell who made an annoyed expression towards him. Eventually, he would turn to the straight open exit, leaving the three individuals be.

Insert Song: End

ED Song:

Kamen Rider 4 [Time - Mitsuru Matsuoka]