"According to this book, in September of 2018, the ordinary high schooler Tokiwa Sougo embarks on a path which leads him to become the overlord of time, Oma Zi-O. The battle for France ended with Chaldea claiming victory over Jeanne Alter and ending Gilles' wish for the destruction of France. Now their next mission will send them to a kingdom of roses… Look forward to it."
Author Notes: I'm cutting down the chapters from over 50 pages or so, to my usual 10 pages to get these out to you faster. Besides that, no difference. Same style, same story. So don't worry about anything changing! Also I am so sorry it took so long to get a new chapter to you guys!
The Heisei Kamen Riders and the Holy Grail War have continued for decades. And now, they pass on their power and legacy onto the next generation! Rejoice!, for the Birth of a new King!
(Oh, yeah. Ohh…)
(Sougo, Geiz, Tsukyomi, Olga, and Mash look upon all the Previous Riders doing their Rider kicks. Scene changes to the Time portal, the Time Mazine flying through them, as the Katakana word for Rider attaches to Zi-O's helmet)
Isshun de tsukamitoru no sa Are you ready?
(Are you ready?)
(Sougo reaches out to the clocks on the wall, before swinging his arm down. The Background spinning in sync with his arm.)
Atarashī rekishi wa soko ni Feel it! Feel it!
(Crazy baby!)
(Geiz wipes something off his face before throwing aside his torn coat, the background spinning behind him. Changes to Tsukiyomi walking straight before the camera changes to her side, the world spinning again.)
Hikari wo kate ni kasokushite
(Changes to Mash and Olga who stand behind the Chaldea symbol. Olga glitches and Kamen Rider Echo fades onto Olga as she takes out her gun and slashes the camera. Mash looks at the camera, a clock behind her counting down.)
Konomama Shout it out! Shout it out!
(The scene is crushed by Oma Zi-O, as he looks up, his crimson eyes glowing. Scene changes to the Gang standing over the Ride Watches before looking up at the Camera.)
Ima wo susume yō
(Changes to Woz, in a darkened room, with a clock in the background, from the sky flaming scraps of papers fall around him. Woz looks at the screen, flames light his face as he holds the book in his hand.)
Madō hi mo Ikudo tonaku Asu no tobira tatake
(Changes to Heure quickly speeding onto pulling down one of his eyes and sticking out his tongue before moving aside, behind Ora and Swartz keeping their back, hiding their faces. Scene changes to a set of large thrones, each designed differently. Scene changes again to Woz who shows the book, flames coming off a close up shows Oma Zi-O obliterating rebels to dust. Then to the Ride Watche's faces turning then activating.)
Mitsumeta sono saki ni
(The Rider statues, crack and stone cascades off revealing the suits underneath. Quick change to Geiz turning his Ride Watch. Then to more Riders, then to Olga who turns a Ride Watch, more Statues.)
Tobikonde mitara
(Then Sougo who turns the face of the watch, as the statue of Sougo crumbles.)
Believe Yourself!
(Oma Zi-O stands behind the rubble. Camera comes close to Oma Zi-O. The Rubble hides his helmet only letting the Red eyes glow though it.)
Now, Over "Quartzer"
(Sougo exclaims Henshin before spinning his belt, the world spinning behind him.)
Toki no ame Surinukete Tomo ni
(Armor completes as the Words attach to the helmet. Zi-O, Geiz, Echo drive down a road, explosions and lasers blasting as they pass. Scene changes to a downpour of rain, as Jackers walk away from a destroyed clock. Back to the Riders as the three drive though the frozen Rider kicks.)
You, Over "Quartzer"
(Time resumes, as the Riders Kick, causing explosions. Zi-O Jumps through the fire.)
Mirai wo koe yō
(Jeanne Alter has her blade in the ground in front of her, both hands resting on it and turns her head back as the screen is engulfed in flames. As the camera flies back passing through 7 bubbles of different times. Before a shadowy figure brings his hands around the 7 bubbles a devious smile forming on his face. Scene changes to Sougo staring straight at the camera. He puts out his right arm as the world stops spinning. Same for Geiz, Tsukiyomi, Olga, and Mash.)
Kako no ishi wa Uso de wa azamuke nai
(Scene changes to a staircase, Zi-O, Geiz, and Echo rush in, their helmets' words creating a path for them. All around them explosions go off and lasers are blasted at them.)
Kanjiro sō Nexus Future
(Tsukiyomi walks down the stairs, the Jackers shifting and glitching before disappearing, leaving Tsukiyomi by herself. Scene changes to Zi-O who swings his blade attacking. Mash behind Zi-O protects him.)
Now, Over "Quartzer"
(Changes to Geiz, readying his bow before letting an arrow off. At the same time behind him, Echo shoots a few shots before kicking at the screen.)
Mabayui sekai
(Scene flashes title cards from the past before leaving Zi-O and Geiz back to back before they attack each other. The two clash their battle sparks and light up the screen.)
Misete
(The rest of the Title cards flash before leaving.)
ZI-O Grand Order
Rayshift 8: First Summons and preparations…
We are Sougo…
A soft and fluffy feeling rests on my chest, it's curled and wrapped, the silence is broken by the soft beats of a heart. Slowly opening my eyes to see Fou laying on my chest. "Kyuuu! Kyau!" I smile, patting Fou on the head he purrs with delight. Mash then steps up next to my bed, leaning over to look at me.
"Good morning. Did you sleep well, Senpai?" Mash asks me. I sit up, Fou jumps down from my chest to my knees. Pushing out my arms as far as I can a series of satisfying crack ripples through my shoulders and arms. I let out a satisfied sigh as I gesture to Fou that I am going to stand up. Fou jumps off and to the edge of the bed as I stand up, the weight from my chest drops down to my legs.
"Great, much better than sleeping out in the woods." I said, twisting my neck to the right and left, a crack at each twist. Turning around back to my bed, I pushed my blankets back onto the bed. Fou hops off the bed and onto the table next to my bed I pet Fou, then stand up and continue to stretch the rest of my body.
"Glad to hear it." Mash said with a smile. "I'm happy to know that you got plenty of rest." As Mash said that, Fou jumps off the table and climbs up onto Mash's shoulder. "As you see, Fou is already fired up." Mash said with Fou nodding in agreement. "I'm sure he's had more than enough sleep and breakfast." I walk over to my dresser room and begin undressing.
"Well, I need to be in prime shape right?" I said, taking off my shirt and pants. "We don't know what it'll be like beyond the Rayshift. No telling when or how much rest we can get." Putting on a new pair of underwear, I also slip into a new set of pants. Grabbing my T-shirt I step out from the room and over to Mash. "So as much as possible, I need to get a good night's rest… But can I really not stay up late at all?" I ask.
"Unfortunately not." Mash said, shaking her head side to side. "Staying up late is prohibited, since your magical energy is linked to your stamina. Director Olga's orders." Mash explains, she goes quiet to look at my scarred shoulder. She reaches out but reels back. "Is your shoulder feeling much better?" Mash ask me.
"Better now, compared to last week." I said putting my shirt on. "The last 3 days I've been able to sleep pain free." I said gesturing to the pill bottle sitting next to my bed with an empty glass next to it. "Didn't even need the Painkillers." I assured Mash. "So don't worry about me. I'll meet you outside so let me brush my teeth." I tell Mash, she looks at me worried but then nods.
"Sure. I'll be right outside if you need me." Mash said as she left the room. The door closes behind her, as I rub my shoulder. Walking over to the table next to my bed, I pick up the bottle, twist the cap off and take out two pills.
"I really shouldn't have stretched…" I muttered in pain as I softly placed a hand on my burnt shoulder. As I turn to the bathroom, I pick up the glass with my free hand and enter the bathroom. Filling up the glass, I down the pills and swallow it down with a gulp of water. "Phew… please kick in quickly…" I muttered, placing my hand on my shoulder.
Later… Command Room…
Entering into the Command room, Mash and I are met with a room filled with talk and the sounds of tools being used. Looking around, various staff members are hard at work making repairs to the Command room. Waiting for us are Olga, Roman, Geiz, Charlotte, and Tsukuyomi. In the week following the end of the last Singularity, Olga had gotten Roman to clean up her hair. "Ah, good morning, you two." Roman greets us, everyone turns to look at us.
"Did you have a good breakfast?" Charlotte asks, turning to greet us.
"Topped up and ready to get to work!" I said tapping my stomach, Geiz glanced back at me.
"How's the shoulder?" Geiz asks me, I tap my shoulder with a bright smile on me.
"Only minor aches, well enough to sleep without issue!" I proclaimed, Geiz squinted his eyes at me and turned away, only for Olga to walk up to me. "Director? Do you-" Olga looks me in the eyes as she crosses her arms.
"Sougo, it helps no one to hide your pain." Olga said, staring at me, 'She noticed?' Olga points to my clothes. "Your Mystic Code uniform has sensors that keep a track on your vitals." Olga points out as she looks at me directly face to face. "You and Geiz are the only Masters Chaldea has, if you were to go down we would all be at risk. So please." Olga places her hand on my left arm. "Take your time and it's okay to tell us if you're hurt." After a moment of silence, I place my left hand on my shoulder.
"I'm… Sorry, director. It still hurts a lot." I said, as I dropped my confident look, Geiz sighs crossing his arms. He walks up to me, "What is-" Geiz pushes something into my chest. It's cold, I look down to see it's an ice pack. "An ice pack?" I ask, Geiz simply grabs my left hand, puts the ice pack into my left hand then to my right shoulder.
"Keep it on." Geiz said as he turned back to the command room. I look at Olga, we both glance back at Geiz who keeps a straight face. I simply smile with Olga as we return to the meeting.
"Okay, I think that's everyone except…" Roman begins when the door opens as Da Vinci enters the command office and over to us.
"*Yawn~!* Oh, 'morning…" Da Vinci greets walking over to us. "The tech department is analyzing the Grail you've retrieved as we speak." Da Vinci updates.
"... Everyone is here. The work crew has already prepared everything for us." Olga said as she stood in front of all of us. "We are already set to Rayshift." Olga said, the screen behind opens up to a map that zooms in on Italy. "This time you're headed to 1st Century Europe." Olga said.
"Oh yeah? Which part of Eruope?" I asked, as I held the ice pack on my shoulder. "Oh, Mashu, could you also do me a favor and like tape or tie the pack onto my shoulder?" I ask, as Mashu nods. Just then a Staff member opens a small cabinet in his desk and tosses her Duct tape. "Thanks." I said to the staff member who gives a nod to me as Mash gets to work..
"Specifically Ancient Rome, the great empire that grew from Italy to control the Mediterranean Sea." Roman answers.
"Really? Ancient Rome! Awesome!" I exclaimed, I attempted to fist pump into the air only for my shoulder to ache as I do. "Ow ow ow…" Putting a hand on the ice pack.
"Hm? Ancient Rome? Really?" Da Vinci said, her face brightens with the prospect of Rome. "That sounds like fun! I sort of want to go too!" Director shakes her head and points at Da Vinci.
"I'm afraid not. You have Analyzing work to do." Olga said, "So you can visit Rome some other time."
"Rome… Ancient Rome, I wonder which of the Roman Emperors we would get to meet!" I said, as my mind raced with possibilities. "Nero, Julius, Augustus, Caligula, Tiberius,-" I list off on my hand.
"Tiberius? That's a name?" Geiz asks, looking at me.
"Yes it is, Geiz-kun. But I would love a chat with Emperor Caligula or Nero." Da Vinci said as she turned to me. "I bet we'd have a lot in common." Da Vinci points at me. "It must be especially exciting for you. Considering you could learn a lot." I nod in agreement, Dr. Roman crosses arms.
"Yes, I do feel the same as Da Vinci," Roman said, turning his head to the repairs being made around us. "however. You and I still have work to do reviving Chaldea." Da Vinci let's out a disappointed sigh as she steps back. Roman and Olga step up to the center of the room, as the rest of us stand before her. "Ahem! With that out of the way. Your teleportation point is the Imperial Capital Rome." Roman explains as a holographic screen of Ancient Rome appears in front of us like a table.
"That's right here." Olga said as the map transforms from a 2D map to a 3D map showing the various towns and locations, Olga then points to a visible city on the map as a marker shows up. "This is Rome, the capital. However, we need to consider the possible historical changes." Olga said, looking up at us. "As such, we are going in blind as we did before."
"We tried to find out both, but the observation precision seems unstable." Roman said, just then a steel plate drops from the wall and hits the ground with a loud audible thud that makes me jump. "...Yeah, we still need a LOT of repairs." Roman said, as he scratched the back of his head.
"Not a problem." Mash said, she looked at me then to Geiz. "Either way, Senpai, Geiz-san, Charlotte-san, and I will locate it." Mash said, her expression blank. Olga nods before she steps over to us. "Director?" Mash asks.
"I will also be joining you for this and future operations." Olga said, Olga points at me and Geiz. "Especially since I need to keep these two from doing anything stupid." She said, 'Suddenly, my shoulder burns even more…' Looking at Geiz, even he's a little embarrassed as he shifts in his uniform. "And before you say anything, Roman has checked me over. I'm healthy and ready for field duty. Not to mention, I'm a Master Candidate." Olga said.
"Oh, wow…" I said, crossing my arms I smiled. "Great we get more Servants on… Our…" A silence fills the room as the words Olga said sets in. "Wait." Everyone in the room turns to look at Olga, who stands there with her arms crossed.
"Wh-What?" Olga asks.
"WHEN?!" Everyone in the room shouted. Olga jumps back a bit surprised. Me, Mash, Geiz, Tsukiyomi, Roman, and Da Vinci all gather around her. We all ask each other how she managed to acquire the ability only for Olga to push us back.
"Enough! Calm down… I… I guess I did forget to tell you all." Olga said as she dusted herself off. "Well, I gained Master Compatibility when I wished for my life back." She further explains the conversation between her and Echo before she passed away. "So yeah… that's why I asked to complete the summoning chamber before the next mission." Olga said, looking at Roman.
"Ah- Ah… That makes sense." Roman said, clearly still trying to process Olga's sudden development of Master Compatibility. "I guess-" Roman said, only for Da Vinci to rush up to Olga looking across her body.
"Amazing! So Ghost's universe has its own kind of Holy Grail!" Da Vinci said looking across Olga, much to her clear discomfort. "I wonder if there are any negative downsides?" Da Vinci begins to wonder as she shines a light in Olga's eye. Olga pushes her aside and steps over to me.
"Enough! As Director, any negative consequences to my body I will handle myself." Olga said, walking back over to Roman she turned to us. "Getting us back on track, we will no doubt meet other Servants we should try to ally ourselves with as many as possible. However, it's likely we will come into contact with Hostile ones as well." Olga said, Geiz puts his fits together.
"Then we'll beat them. All the same." Geiz said, only for Mash to raise her hand.
"Director? I have one question, may I ask it?" Mash asks, Olga looks at her and gestures her hand out to Mash. "Hostile Servants and neutral Servants. Is there a way to distinguish them upon detection?" Mash asks.
"It would be best if we had the ability to distinguish them from our observation data." Roman said, crossing his arms. "For example, the ability to see if approaching Servants are enemies or possible allie-" Olga looks at Roman.
"*Ahem*" Olga said, looking at Roman.
"Ah, I am sorry." Roman said, scratching the back of his head. He puts on a serious face again looking at Mash. "Unfortunately, that's impossible right now." Roman said, he glanced behind to see the large globe in the Rayshift chamber. "Even if we combine Sheba and Trismegistus, the best we can do is detect lifeforms and energy readings." Roman crosses his arms. "The ability to distinguish hostility lies within the realm of psychology."
"So basically we have to meet them before we can tell if we can befriend them or not." Tsukuyomi summaries. Roman nods.
"Exactly, for now, we will have to rely on reading the room." Olga said, "it will likely be the same with non-servants like local humans. Does that answer your question, Mash?" Olga asks, Mash nods before bowing.
"Yes. I'm sorry for asking too much of you, director." Mash said. "I realize it was logically unreasonable. But, even so…" Mash stands up straight, putting her hands together behind her back.
"It's all to avoid fighting right?" I said looking at Mash. "It's no problem." I answer.
"Sougo is right. It was a necessary question to ask Mash." Olga said. "Avoiding as many unnecessary battles as possible is a good idea." Olga smiles at Mash, giving her a head nod. Mash smiles and nods back. "If anything happens, our team here will support us." Olga said, looking at Tsukuyomi and Roman, who both gave a thumbs up. "Now then." Olga said, clapping her hands together. "Now that everything is settled, let's go to the summoning chamber then." Olga heads for the door, Geiz, Mash, Tsukuyomi, Charlotte, Roman, and I all follow behind her.
Chaldea Summoning Experiment Chamber…
The double doors to the chamber opens to a large illuminated round room. The walls and ceiling illuminate like the stars, at the top and bottom edge around the room are a series of blue rings. Finally at the center of the room carved into the ground is a magic circle. "Whoa~!" I exclaim running up to the circle. "So this is a summoning circle?" I ask looking up at Olga.
"That's correct. Now step back and take notes. You will do this too soon." Olga said, stepping up to the edge of the circle. I step back as Roman walks up next to Olga and hands her a small box. "Inside these are the catalysts we will use for summoning." Olga explained, as she opens the box and pulls from it an eight sided pointed crystal that glows like an aurora. She places 30 of them in a star shaped pattern within the circle.
"So, what are those crystals?" I ask Roman.
"Those are Saint Quarts." Roman answers, I tilt my head to the right. "They act as catalysts when summoning." Olga holds out her hands, as the quartz begins to glow brighter. "When summoning Servants, we here use the FATE summoning system. To make a long story short. The Quarts make summoning a servant possible." Roman gestures to Olga. The quartz breaks apart, the center of the circle sparks to life as three rings expand out from the spark. A ring of balls rises up from the circle.
"I call forth into time. To heroes of legend." Olga begins to chant as the ring of balls spin as they glitter gold. "Though wishes crystallized, one of the individual, one of the collective, and one of civilization." The light in the center of the circle begins to spark. It becomes so bright that I bring up my hand to block the light. "These are the final wishes of humanity. As I stand upon the infallible boundary, before the brink of its destruction, take from legend, armed to fight once more." The ball ring spins faster, as wings begin to push out from the ring. I have to adjust my stance, as my eyes adjust to the light. "And from that path, we will carve a future. Through you, I embody change. And through me, you embody will. To those written into legend, of Heroes and Villains, from Men, from Kings, from Gods. To those who hail to heed the call." The three rings, and the ball ring collapse into the light in the center. "Come forth in duty, from desire, under will!" The spark bursts out into a pillar of light. The pillar of light is blown away as a familiar figure stands up with flower petals dropping around him.
"My name is Chevalier d'Eon." d'Eon introduces herself. "I am the knight that will protect you and the Royalty of France… Knight of the White Lily." She bows to Olga as the back of her right hand glows red. The shape of her Command Seals is in the form of a shield of arms. At the edge are blades that point towards the sky, inside the center is a star with an arrow pointing towards the sky.
"Amazing…" I mutter looking at Olga. "Whoa, Director summoned d'Eon!" I said with a smile, everyone applauds with me. Olga holds out her hand to d'Eon.
"I am Olga Marie Animusphere. I am your Master… And I look forward to having your help." Olga said with a smile. d'Eon smiles back and takes Olga's hand and while still on a knee d'Eon brings her hand and kisses the back of the hand. Olga's face twists into surprise, but quickly collects herself. "Ah… Ahem. Thank you. Rise." Olga orders, as d'Eon rises with a smile.
"Huh, never thought I'd get to see something like that." I whisper to Mash. "Apparently, that's a kind of knightly greeting to a lady." I explained, I take a good look at d'Eon. "So, definitely a Saber Class Servant… Right?" I ask, looking at Mash. "Do we need to worry about her going Berserk?" I whisper to Mash.
"Senpai, this d'Eon isn't the one we met in France." Mash said to me. I look at her confused. "Remember? When Servants are sent back to the throne they lose all of their memories of the time when they were summoned. So this d'Eon isn't the one we met. It's a new one. Free of Jeanne Alter's Magic" Mash explains, I look at Jeanne who looks at all of us with a bright smile.
"Not the one… We met." I mutter, I cross my arms and nod. "I see… Well, at least that means we can meet the real d'Eon. Not a berserk, murderous one that we met before." I said.
"d'Eon, I know you have just arrived but we are heading out. I'll explain everything as we head out." Olga said, she turned to leave the room. "Come on team. We are launching our mission." We all follow behind and back into the main room.
Chaldea Rayshift Chamber…
After an explanation of the situation, we arrived at the Rayshift chamber. The chamber has been modified since our previous mission. The room now contains 3 large bays for our Time Mazine to be stored inside. Each bay is denoted by a number and color. Mine is 01 in white, Geiz's is 02 in red, and Olga's is 03 denoted in blue. The storage bays are in the ground, requiring doors from below to open and raise the Time Mazine up to meet us. The three bays are circled around the rim of the central platform in the room. "Prepare for Rayshift, get to your machines." Olga orders, just then the lights around the room change to a flashing red.
"Engaging Rayshift Procedure." The announcer exclaims. We rush to our bays, the bay doors open as our machines are lifted up. Once it reaches the top, the Mazine changes to its vehicle form allowing all of us in. Mash rides with me, Charlotte with Geiz, and Jeanne with Olga. "Unsummon Program start. Spiritron Conversion start." The entire room begins to glow as the earth model inside the set of rings begins to glow. "Rayshift engaging in 3, 2, 1… All procedures cleared. Grand Order commencing operation." The space around glowing earth folds in before a hole in space appears as a vacuum begins to sucking in things around it.
"Olga Marie Animusphere with Saber, Chevalier d'Eon. Launching." Olga announces as she launches into the hole in space.
"Geiz with Assassin Charlotte. Deploying." Geiz announces as he follows behind Olga.
"Oh uh… Tokiwa Sougo and Mashu Kyrielight. We're heading out!" I announce, following behind both Olga and Geiz into the hole in space.
Elsewhere… We are Observers…
"Ah, but that is where we must end it for today." Woz walks towards a large clock sitting in a blank room, Woz approaches the clock. "The next adventure is one I'm sure you will quite enjoy." Stepping around the Clock, Woz steps up to a lectern with a book sitting on it open to a chapter page. "For we have arrived at the second chapter." Woz glances up at someone who sits on a throne hidden by a cloth veil that hides his face. The figure in the throne leans on their right arm as he rests it on the arm rest. Wind blows out from behind the figure as Rose petals are blown past Woz. "We have now arrived at the Eternal Madness Empire: Septem." Woz said, turning the page the clock behind him clicks at the minute hand jerks down.
Rayshift 8 Complete…