Episode 17: Fragments of the Truth

As he stepped into ORE Journal's office, Shinji couldn't help but sigh in relief. It had been a while since Kitaoka had taken their case in suing Jun for hijacking and blackmailing their news site, and had been sent to jail thanks to a trusted colleague of Kitaoka's for the death match ring he'd organized. Now there was one less combatant in the Rider War.

'And now, one less person disgracing the name Kamen Rider, too.' Shinji thought as he began his work for the day. 'But at the same time, I'd really like to know how everything got to this point. Is the Mirror World something that came into existence recently, or has it always been around? Ever since Ren's brief bout of amnesia, I've had clues thanks to that lab back at Seimeiin University. And then there was that strange pulse I felt from my deck after Scissors was killed. Was the pulse a notice of elimination, or something else? All of this is without factoring in the wish. So many questions I still have, and I've only got fragments of the answers I'm after.'

Hours passed by in their quiet way, and Shinji was soon on his lunchbreak. Within his ponderings, Shinji had considered calling up Kitaoka and seeing how he'd joined the Rider War. Based on Ren and Tezuka's stories, Kanzaki unquestionably played a part in recruiting fighters for the Rider War. However, the method of choosing was what had Shinji stopped.

"This is pretty difficult to piece together." Shinji sighed. "Maybe my mind will work better once my stomach's filled up." He was about to head out the door when his phone began to ring.

"Hello?"

"Mr. Kido." A familiar voice said from the other end of the call. "It's me. Detective Zakuno."

"Oh! Hi!" Shinji blinked in surprise. "Not that it isn't nice to hear from you, but to what do I owe the sudden call?"

"You made it clear that you've shown an interest in the missing persons case." Zakuno began. "I thought you might appreciate some information. Your card was found with Sudo's things, so I figured I should make the call."

"Oh. Thanks!" Shinji beamed. "But, I was just about to head out for lunch when you called."

Zakuno chuckled. "Then my timing's perfect. I'm also on my lunch break. I'll send you the address. I hope that this comparing of notes is helpful to both of us."

"Okay. See you soon." Shinji nodded as he hung up. A few seconds later, Shinji received the text from Detective Zakuno and was speeding off on his bike towards the restaurant where Zakuno was waiting for him. He found the detective waiting for him at a booth that was farther away from the main crowd of the restaurant.

'Given the subject matter, I can't blame him.' Shinji thought as he approached the booth.

"Glad you could make it, Shinji." Zakuno greeted warmly. "So. Make any new headlines?"

Shinji shook his head and chuckled. "Not unless you count giving Shuichi Kitaoka some good publicity for once."

"Ah, yes." Zakuno nodded. "I've seen the profiles of his previous cases. Never thought I'd see the day he'd stick up for the little guy. Let alone free of charge."

"That… would be because of me. And one of my seniors." Shinji said as he recounted the tale of his first encounter with the super lawyer. Everything from nearly getting hit by Kitaoka's car to the angry clients chasing the two of them.

"Wow." Zakuno said in awe. "Quite the explosive tale. It's no wonder he took up your case so quickly. Then again, its' probably not totally altruistic on his part. This little good deed might have landed him some points with your senior. Reiko, right? I've been meaning to apologize to her for my predecessor's actions."

"Don't apologize for something you had nothing to do with." Shinji said firmly. "I only blame Sudo because he's the one who hurt her and all those other people. You don't hold any blame here."

Zakuno shook his head. "Maybe so. But I feel that I bear responsibility as a member of the police. Especially since it was one of our own who was dirty."

"That's a good quality you've got there." Shinji nodded. "But we're getting a bit off topic. That, and I think we both need to eat."

Detective Zakuno sheepishly chuckled. "I'd recommend the burger. It's pretty good."

The duo ordered their food and proceeded to discuss the subject that had brought the two of them here: The mysterious disappearances.

"As far as I can tell, there's no clear pattern." Zakuno sighed as he clasped his hands together. "One thing in common is that there were no signs of a struggle or break-in. And there's no connection between any of the locations either. It all just seems to happen at random."

Shinji was well aware of the truth behind the disappearances, but he knew the risk of what could happen if he were to carelessly disclose the Mirror World's existence. It was also just good manners to hear the detective out.

"You investigated one of the missing people's apartments, right?" Zakuno asked. "Anything that you might've found odd?"

'Couldn't hurt to give him a little snippet.' Shinji thought before answering. "Koichi Sakakibara, yes. Well, all the windows were covered up. I think he must have felt he was being watched, or maybe he was just paranoid."

"I see." Zakuno nodded. "Well, with all the information I have so far, I've actually been able to put a theory together."

"Really?" Shinji asked. "And what might that be?"

Detective Zakuno took a deep breath before looking Shinji dead in the eye.

"Aliens."

Complete silence. That was all that was present between the two for roughly half a minute before Shinji blinked in surprise. He was grateful that Zakuno hadn't been spot-on, but the answer he gave was, well, pretty out there.

"O… kay?" Shinji said dumbfounded.

Zakuno sighed. "I knew it. You think I'm crazy."

"N-No no! I don't!" Shinji protested quietly. "It's just… not an answer I was expecting. I thought you would've said a cult was responsible for the disappearances. Or, I don't' know, some sort of underground ring of illegal activity. But, aliens?"

"Well, that's a possibility that some of the guys around the precinct were tossing around." Zakuno stated. "But the fact is, there were no outsider fingerprints at the scenes of the disappearances. Plus, think about it. No traces of the victims left behind? No signs of a struggle? It must have been aliens! They're the most feasible option due to their abductions leaving no traces!"

Shinji smiled nervously. "Sorry to burst your bubble Detective Zakuno, but, wouldn't there have been reports of strange lights or a UFO?"

"You need to watch more sci-fi Mr. Kido." Zakuno shook his head. "They probably have cloaking technology on their vessels and just teleported themselves and their victims away."

'Huh. If aliens were behind the disappearances that would make total sense.' Shinji nodded. "I see your point. And please, call me Shinji."

"Well in that case, call me Kani." Kani smiled. "It's fine if you don't believe me, Shinji. Honestly, I'm just happy that someone was willing to hear me out. If I had shared my theory with the other detectives, they would've laughed at me for jumping to conclusions. Besides, I'm not sure it's actually aliens, but it's the closest thing I could get to a reasonable explanation. All I know is that something strange is going on behind these disappearances. Something dangerous. And I hope that the two of us can get to the bottom of it."

"Glad to be of help." Shinji beamed. "And hey. Maybe you're not as far off as you think. Who knows? Maybe some superheroes will show up to help."

"Yeah." Kani chuckled. "It'd be great if heroes like the Kamen Riders lent us a hand."

Shinji blinked in surprise. "You… like Kamen Riders?"

"Yup." Kani nervously chuckled. "Stories about them are why I wanted to pursue law enforcement. They might be real, or they might not, but what they stand for is something worth fighting for."

'If only someone like you had the Scissors deck.' Shinji thought as a smile crept across his face. "Well, we're in the same boat. The urban legends about Kamen Riders inspired me to take up journalism."

"I had a feeling we'd get along well Shinji." Kani chuckled. "And again, sorry for dragging you out on your lunch break."

"No worries." Shinji shook his head. "It was pretty nice talking to y-"

Shinji was interrupted as his phone began ringing, Whipping it out, he saw that Tezuka was calling him.

"Excuse me." Shinji apologized to the detective. "Hey Tezuka. What's up? Hm? Might be best to save that for after I'm off work. My lunch break's almost over. Got it. I'll be at the café as soon as work lets out. See ya then."

"Friend of yours?" Kani asked with a smile.

"One of my closest. I met him a while back. Way before I had a run-in with Kitaoka." Shinji answered. "Like I said, nice talking to you, but I've gotta roll. Call me if you've got any developments. Good luck out there!"

"You too." Kani said with a wave as Shinji left the restaurant.

Hours eventually ticked by, and Shinji soon found himself driving off to Atori Café. Yui waving him down as she stood outside. Upon entering, Shinji headed over to where Tezuka was sitting. The fortuneteller enjoying a drink as his mentee approached him.

"So what's on today's agenda, Tezuka?" Shinji asked. "Are we going to be training again, or are we patrolling the Mirror World? Because I'm not sure how effective the latter is."

"Not exactly patrolling, Shinji." Tezuka chuckled. "But there is something important you'll be observing in the Mirror World today."

Tezuka and Shinji quickly transformed into their Kamen Rider forms and entered the Mirror World via the closest reflective surface. Raia led Ryuki to the closest rooftop, and the two heroic Riders simply perched themselves there to observe the city.

"Is there anything in particular you brought me here to see?" Ryuki asked.

"Indeed." Raia nodded. "Take a look at the street below. What do you see?"

Ryuki looked down at the street of the Mirror World, and his eyes widened when he witnessed that the cars populating the streets were moving!

"How can this be?!" Ryuki asked in astonishment. "I thought everything in the Mirror World was static and unmoving due to no people being around."

"While it's true that no people live here, that doesn't movements in the real world aren't reflected here." Raia smiled beneath his helmet. "This is a mirror world in more ways than one. And it's these reflected movements that the Mirror Monsters use to hunt for their prey. Besides sensing out life energies that appear more appetizing than others, that is."

"Wow." Ryuki said in awe as he beheld the movement despite the lack of people. "It's kind of the same for us if you think about it. We keep track of the monsters' movements through the reflections. So are we done here, Tezuka?"

Raia chuckled. "You seem to be impressed by the movements of the city without people. I think we could stand to spend another minute or two observing it."

As the pair of heroic Riders observed the movement in comfortable silence, on the other side of the mirrors, Ren had taken up the exact same observation point as he held tightly onto the necklace that carried his and Eri's wedding bands. Tomorrow would bring new challenges. And as the sun set over the horizon, the resolve of the Riders only burned that much brighter.

However, not all who bear knowledge of the Mirror World carry as strong a resolve as the Riders do. Inside a train car, a haggard-looking man was eyeing every reflection around him with dread. With how ragged he looked, it seemed like the man hadn't slept or bathed in days. As he watched the reflections, the man tightened his grip on the small object in his hands. Whatever it was, he was holding onto it for dear life. Just when it seemed like the man could relax, he saw something in the reflection of the nearby windows that made him freeze in horror. A Mirror Monster, a Zenobiter in particular, was lurking on the train. And it was clicking its mandibles in anticipation. Quick as a flash, the man held out the object he was carrying. An Advent Card. Specifically, the Seal card. The mere sight of it made the Zenobiter hiss in disgust. Fortunately for the man, the train had reached its stop and he bolted out. Unfortunately, the other passengers would not be so lucky. Especially as Zenobiter's mate, a Terabiter, joined in to feast. When the train pulled into the next station, there were no passengers to be found. Meanwhile, the man that had fled from the feeding frenzy was huddled in an alleyway, trembling with fear as night began to fully set in.

"Please…" The man whimpered. "I didn't tell anyone about it. Please, Kanzaki! Just let me go! Save me!"

The next morning, Shinji was getting his breakfast ready when his phone began to ring. Seeing the caller was Kani, Shinji immediately answered.

"Shinji. Did you watch the news last night?" Kani asked.

Shinji shook his head. "Not really. I get enough news working for ORE Journal. What's up?"

"We received a report of another disappearance." Kani answered. "However, this wasn't like the others. This one was much bigger. An entire train was devoid of passengers when it had been occupied not a few minutes earlier."

"That's got to be the largest record disappearance to happen at once." Shinji narrowed his eyes. 'And a feast for the Mirror Monster responsible.'

"Yeah. Some of the guys down here are starting to think my 'crackpot theory' might have some weight." Kani chuckled. "I'm only sorry that we haven't arrived at the exact cause of the disappearances, but I'm pretty sure that you could use your cult possibility and my alien theory to write an engaging little article."

"I'll have to get it approved by the chief first." Shinji smiled. "And don't worry. The fact you've brought the case to my attention is more than enough. Anything you give me is another fragment of the truth, and something tells me we'll be able to piece the whole thing together soon."

"Thanks, Shinji." Kani sighed in relief. "I'll call you if there's a pattern between future disappearances or something like that. Bye."

"Goodbye." Shinji nodded as he hung up. It was at this moment that Dragreder poked his head out of the nearby mirror. Shinji couldn't help but smile at seeing his partner. "Hoping for some scraps today, buddy? Don't worry. I'll remember to save some for you. AND your cookies for tonight."

Dragreder's eyes lit up at Shinji's declaration, and his lips curled into what resembled a smile while his tail swished happily in the Mirror World.

"Glad to see you happy." Shinji chuckled as he pat Dragreder's head. "I don't know why you were observing me that day I found the Advent Deck, but I'm glad you did. You and I? We're a good team."

Both Rider and Contract Monster set about scarfing down their food. The two departing immediately after filling their bellies. It seemed like today's commute would be just as smooth as any other day. That is, until a disheveled-looking older man nearly stumbled into the street in front of Shinji. Pumping the breaks, Shinji managed to stop his bike just in time!

"Are you alright?!" Shinji asked as he dismounted his bike to help the man up. But instead of accepting Shinji's help, the man swatted his hand away, a look of panic in his eyes as his vision darted from window to window.

"Leave me alone!" The man snapped! Shinji would have asked what was wrong, but the man suddenly bolted up with a frightened look on his face and ran off.

"What was up with that guy?" Shinji said as he looked at where the man had come from. Only to find nothing there. Shaking his head, Shinji resumed his commute to work.

Meanwhile, the man was running for his life and frantically avoiding any reflective surfaces. Unfortunately, he did not account for a small puddle on the ground in a space just out of sight. A hand shot up from the puddle and grabbed the man's leg, forcing him to the ground. Just when it seemed that the man would be dragged into the Mirror World, something from the other side of the reflection hit whatever Mirror Monster had tried to grab a meal. Staring into the reflection in the puddle, the man's eyes widened.

"A Kamen Rider… "

Kamen Rider Raia was seen engaging the Mirror Monster, a humanoid bird-like one. However, Raia seemed to be engaging this monster with more ferocity. And it seemed like the monster was definitely a cut above the standard Mirror World denizen. The way it fought seemed to be more intelligent and it seemed to possess more power as it nearly sent Raia flying back with a single swing! Despite the seemingly superior strength of his enemy, Raia refused to back down. Slotting in his Advent Card, Raia summoned Evildiver to help. The giant stingray lashing at the bird monster with his tail whip! Letting out a screech, the bird monster leaped away from rooftop to rooftop in the Mirror World. Satisfied that the monster was sent packing, Raia leaped into the puddle and emerged in the real world. Removing the Advent Deck from his V-Buckle, Raia reverted to his civilian form of Miyuki Tezuka.

"Are you alright, sir?" Tezuka asked the haggard-looking man, reaching his hand out in reassurance. "The monster's run off for now, but-"

"DON'T COME ANY CLOSER!" The man screamed as he pointed at Tezuka. "Y-You're one of them! A Kamen Rider! First Kanzaki sends Mirror Monsters to shut me up, and now he's throwing the pawns that he's duped into fighting his war?!"

"Sir, you seem to be mistaken." Tezuka shook his head. "I'm trying to stop the Rider War. To change the fates of those fighting in it. If Kanzaki is your enemy, then I'm your ally."

"Lies!" The man spat as he slowly backed away slowly. "The only thing the Riders care about is the wish!"

Tezuka narrowed his eyes. "How do you know Kanzaki?"

"Why bother telling you if you're just going to shut me up?!"

'Okay. This guy's way too on-edge. He could have vital information about the Rider War, and a possible way to stop it. Sorry, sir. But it looks like I'm going to have to subdue you.' Tezuka thought as he reached into his pocket.

"Alright, alright. I won't force you to come with me." Tezuka sighed. "But would you at least let me give you some change so you can get something to eat? You look like you're going to collapse any second."

Tezuka removed his hand from his pocket, and tossed a coin to the disheveled man. The man caught it and was expecting to see a yen coin. But to his shock, it was an American quarter. And before the man could get on Tezuka's case over the coin, Tezuka had rushed up to him and punched him in the gut! In his haggard condition, the man was out like a light.

"I really am sorry I had to do that." Tezuka said as he caught the man before he hit the ground. "But you're the best lead I have on the Rider War. Still, since our next stop is Atori Café, I wasn't completely lying to you."

Back with Shinji, the journalism intern had settled into his desk and was working away. That is, until Reiko strolled up to his desk with a smile on her face. Her presence not going unnoticed by Shinji.

"Hi Reiko." Shinji returned the smile. "What's up?"

"Nothing, really." Reiko shook her head. "Just looking back on everything that's gone on since you started interning here. First there was the unmasking of that corrupt cop, then the super-lawyer strikes a friendship with you. Some smarmy rich kid who runs a deathgame takes over our news site, and then our new super-lawyer friend takes up our case free of charge. Ever since you showed up, things have been interesting around here. I can't help but wonder: What's next?"

"… Well I know a good-looking fortuneteller." Shinji stated plainly. "Want him to see if you've got a future with him?"

Reiko couldn't help but laugh. "I'm pretty sure that would give Kitaoka some stiff competition."

"Didn't know he'd graduated from nickname status with you." Shinji smiled. "With how fast you're moving, I wouldn't be surprised if I saw a ring on your finger in the future."

"G-Get real!" Reiko snapped as a blush spread across her face. "An egotistical guy like him who thinks he could just buy my affection? Like I'd ever go for him!"

'Aaand that's a grand total of two tsunderes I know.' Shinji thought as he chuckled at Reiko's reaction. He was about to return to his work when his phone rang. "Hello?"

"Kido. Come to the café on your lunch break. It's urgent." Ren said form the other end of the call.

Shinji's expression steeled for a moment before he nodded. "Got it."

True to his word, Shinji departed for Atori Café once his lunch break had arrived. Upon entering the building, Shinji noticed Ren and Tezuka were sitting down at a table together. Along with the disheveled-looking man he'd ran into earlier. Tezuka had a concerned look on his face while Ren was glaring at the man. Wanting to break the uncomfortable silence, Shinji decided to speak up.

"So… I take it this guy is the cause for concern?" Shinji asked.

"This man was involved with Kanzaki." Tezuka replied. "He helped Kanzaki initiate the Rider War."

Ren stood up, a frown fully visible on his face. "Meaning he's also partly to blame for Eri's condition. I should know. I saw him there that day. Tell me, Professor Ejima, do you remember me?"

"You… " The now named professor gasped in recollection. "You were there that day Kanzaki's experiment summoned that… thing."

"Good memory." Ren nodded. "I haven't seen you since you bolted out of the lab. Since you worked so closely with Kanzaki, we figure you can give us some answers."

"Answers? Answers?!" Professor Ejima laughed madly "If you've come to me looking for a way to cheat the Rider War, or stop it, you're out of luck. In all that I was shown by Kanzaki, there was no mention of any failsafe to close the links between our world and the Mirror World. The most he showed me was how to make Advent Cards."

"That's more than enough!" Shinji snapped as he bolted up from his seat. "You could make us some Seal cards so we can imprison the Mirror Monsters!"

A hopeless look dawned on Professor Ejima's face. "You can't. For every one that you seal, an exponential amount more spawn to replace them."

Hearing this made Shinji and Tezuka dejected, Shinji more than Tezuka as the fortuneteller had expected there would be no easy way to circumvent the Rider War. Even Ren had a disappointed look on his face, thought it wasn't nearly as pronounced due to his willingness to fight. It was at this moment that Yui had exited from the kitchen.

"I thought I'd whip up some tea for our guest." Yui said as she approached the table Ejima was sitting at. "I figured he could use something to-"

"You… You!" The disheveled professor. "All of this… it's because of you!"

Before Yui could even ask what Professor Ejima meant, the ringing of the Mirror World erupted everywhere. Shinji and the other Riders were accustomed to the ringing by now, but Ejima instantly sprang into a panic and dashed out the door. As Shinji was about to chase after the disheveled professor, Tezuka stopped him.

"As significant as any information Professor Ejima might have, we've a more pressing matter concerning the Mirror Monsters."

"Yeah… you're right." Shinji sighed. His resignation with the situation giving way to resolve. "In fact, I know just where the monsters are going to be lurking. You hear about the disappearance of that train car?"

Tezuka nodded, and the two headed for the nearest reflective surface to transform. Meanwhile, Ren and Yui were in hot pursuit of Professor Ejima. The man's shocked and, dare Ren say, angry reaction to Yui was confusing.

'Yui's not the one who conducted those experiments. That was all her brother.' Ren thought with a furrowed brow as he ran through the city streets. 'So just why on earth did Professor Ejima look at her like she'd committed the worst sin known to humanity?'

"Shiro…" Yui muttered to herself, trying to process the professor's actions. "What have you done?"

On the other side of the Mirrors, Ryuki and Raia were driving their Rideshooters alongside a moving train. Like in their earlier lesson, they were using the train's movement to track for any Mirror Monsters using the motion as a prey indicator. Their diligence was rewarded as the Zenobiter and Terabiter responsible for the last train car disappearance were also bounding after the train.

"Now seems like a good jumping off point!" Ryuki cried out as he dismounted from the Rideshooter and leaped onto the train car with Raia following close behind.

Both Riders had landed on the train's roof. Much to the displeasure of the Biter monsters as they landed not long after. Not wanting to risk running into any hazards, Ryuki and Raia split up and ducked into the nearest coupling sections, slipping into the train cars adjacent to the one they had landed on. With a furious hiss, the Mirror Monsters set after the pair of heroic Riders. Terabiter chased after Ryuki, but was met with a blast of flame the minute she entered the car! The insect monster screeched in pain as Ryuki cut the blast from his Dragclaw, having summoned the gauntlet after he'd entered the train car. Simultaneously, Raia was engaging Zenobiter with a copy of the male monster's boomerang.

Both Ryuki and Raia succeeded in forcing the beetle monsters back to back in the same car that they'd landed on. Terabiter and Zenobiter hissed in frustration, crouching into attack stances so they could make those who'd harmed them pay.

"Well I'll be. This is the second Mirror Monster date we've crashed." Ryuki muttered. "Didn't you two have a dinner-date already?"

Terabiter seemed especially incensed by that as she let out an angry hiss at Ryuki while Zenobiter furiously clicking his mandibles and stamping his foot in outrage at the insult to his mate. But before the Mirror Monsters could charge, a voice called out.

"No." The voice of Shiro Kanzaki commanded. "You have another target to pursue. The man you were chasing earlier. These two don't matter. Go."

Terabiter and Zenobiter gave silent acknowledgement to Kanzaki's command. Before either Rider could react, Terabiter jumped through the roof, cutting her way out with her bladed boomerang! Zenobiter would have followed suit, but was hit with a blast from Ryuki's Dragclaw right as it was exiting. While the male insect monster was sprawled out on the street below, Ryuki readied his Final Vent, slotting the card into the Dragvisor!

"FINAL VENT!"

The instant Zenobiter staggered to his feet, he was met with oblivion in the form of a flaming flying kick courtesy of Ryuki! As the energy core materialized from the Mirror Monster's destruction, Ryuki was joined on the ground by Raia.

"That's one down, but the other's on the loose!" Raia exclaimed.

"And under orders from Kanzaki, too." Ryuki nodded. "Looks like he's trying to silence those who know about this war he's waging. But what I don't get is why the monsters would listen to him!"

"That's something I'd like to know, too." Raia sighed. "But that's a question for another time. Right now, we'd best give chase. The monster's after Professor Ejima!"

"I wouldn't worry too much." Ryuki shook his head. "After all, Ren and Yui are on the guy's trail right now."

At the same time, Ren had just transformed into Kamen Rider Knight and was speeding through the Mirror World on his Rideshooter. He and Yui had been forced to separate as Ejima had somehow given them the slip. However, he had blurted out a key piece of information. That he had to get back to the lab.

"So he wants to go back to his lab. The place where this whole mess began." Knight muttered to himself with a grimace. "If I never see that place again, it'll be too soon. Here's hoping that Yui hasn't lost too much ground after hailing a cab."

On the other side of the mirrors, Professor Ejima had hastily disembarked from the train he was taking. He wasn't that far from the university now! If he could just get to the lab, and cover up anything reflective, he'd be safe! Unfortunately, the Terabiter that was pursuing him had finally caught up to him. Seeing the monster in a nearby reflection, Ejima flashed the Seal card! While Terabiter recoiled, Ejima made beeline to his abandoned lab. But in his haste he stumbled, the Seal card falling from his hands. And he was far too fearful to realize his error. For right as he arrived at the entrance to his abandoned lab, Terabiter attacked! The Mirror Monster slashing the professor with her boomerang. But just as she was about to consume the poor man, Knight burst out from a nearby window!

"If you're looking for the cafeteria, you're in the wrong building!" Knight cried out as he shoved the Terabiter into the nearest window, taking the fight to the Mirror World.

Terabiter's previous engagements, coupled with her prolonged pursuit, drove her to lash out as opposed to strategize. Something Knight took full advantage of as he sent her tumbling to the ground with only a few well-placed slashes from the Darkvisor. While Terabiter was flailing in frustration, Knight prepared his Final Vent, slotting the card into the Darkvisor.

"FINAL VENT!"

Only a moment after the visor's announcement, and Terabiter was struck with death from above. Darkwing wasting no time in absorbing the core that materialized in her defeat. Knight spared a glance at his partner before turning his attention to the real world. He was able to see Yui happening upon the downed professor, and decided to join her. Reverting to his civilian form as he exited the Mirror World.

"Professor Ejima!" Yui cried out as she shook the man gently. "Can you hear me?! If there's anything you can share with me about the Rider War, please! Tell me!"

"Yui Kanzaki… " The man said with all the consciousness he could muster. "If only… you never existed!"

And with that, he could no longer hold on. The stress and anxiety of having to jump at every reflection, the exhaustion from being on the run for so long, and finally being attacked by the very monster sent to silence him. It was all too much to handle. With his words said, Professor Ejima breathed his last. Yui couldn't help but back away in horror. She noticed Ren approaching the body, and a quick pulse check confirmed the worst.

"He's gone." Ren sighed. "I'll call up Shinji and Tezuka. They need to know about this."

"Why, brother?" Yui said with sorrow in her voice. "What reason could you have to cause all of this death and suffering?"

"Take heart, Yui." Ren said as he finished his call. "At least our actions so far have helped keep things from escalating. If he'd run for longer, then there's a chance he would have inadvertently add to the victim tally."

Yui's shoulders sank in disappointment, but nodded. They couldn't save everyone, but at least they could keep the victim count from raising too much. And for now, that had to be enough. When Shinji and Tezuka returned to Atori Café, they were digesting the news.

"This is horrible." Shinji lamented. "Looks like we won't be getting any big answers today."

"Too true." Tezuka nodded. "But we've also gained a fragment of the truth. Whatever the reason for the Rider War is, Kanzaki is willing to kill to keep it secret. So far, the best bet to circumvent the Rider War is to stagnate it. Let's just hope nothing happens to escalate the situation anytime soon."

A prison cell

As the sun was setting, a man shook the bars of his cell window, screaming in rage. He'd been in here for a good while. All thanks to that useless lawyer that wouldn't defend him. But soon, very soon, he would get to face the one who was responsible for locking him in this hole.

"RAAAAAAGGGHHHH!"

"SHUT UP IN THERE!" A guard shouted as the man's screaming was disturbing the entire cell block. "I swear Asakura! If you don't quiet down, I'll do the world a favor and shut you up permanently!"

The man, now identified as Asakura, turned to face the guard. A sick smile spreading across his face. Aside from the prison garb, what was noticeable about the man was the wild-looking brown hair and the crazed look in his eyes.

"This place vexes me." Asakura declared. His smile unnerving the guard. "Just like you, and everyone else in here."

"Get used to it." The guard spat, mustering up all his courage. "The fact is, you deserve to be here after all you've done. I'd even go so far as to say no lawyer in their right mind would ever argue to release you. Enjoy that window. It's the only glimpse of freedom you'll ever have."

As the guard left, Asakura let out one last scream before glaring hatefully out the window. Cursing a single name.

"Kitaoka."

Unbeknownst to Asakura, he had a spectator to his rage. Shiro Kanzaki observed the man's fury with a keen interest.

'Things aren't progressing as they should.' Kanzaki thought with a frown as he reached into his coat pocket. 'Then again, I had only told the latest participant I had handed out all the decks to motivate him towards combat. But it looks like he'd rather make the Rider War stagnate. This will not do. Perhaps what is needed is the introduction…of a wild card.'

AN: Hi guys. Sorry to keep you all waiting for so long. But I was having trouble figuring out this chapter for the longest time since events here flow differently than in canon. As well as figuring out how to progress the main ship for the story (any and all suggestions are welcome!). Still, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter! Don't worry. Once we get to the next arc, things are going to heat up a bit. Hopefully I'll be able to get you guys roughly a whole month of chapters. I can't promise there'll be a new chapter every day, but I am going to dedicate more time to them! Consider it my Christmas present to all of you for sticking with me this long! I've also got a poll concerning a story idea I had, so feel free to weigh in on that too! Happy Holidays, everyone!