Organ music filled the cathedral once again as Bishop resumed playing. With the Phantom out of his skin, he could finally enjoy some peace and quiet. He was even full as he ate the lifeforce of Another Den-O's victim; the glass remains were still laid out on the pews behind him.
As he continued playing his number, the feeling that someone was with him slowly grew despite not hearing anyone enter or other sounds that indicate there was anybody. When he finished his piece, he had a good idea who it was.
After a couple moments of silence, he called out to them. "...Why are you here, Decade?"
"I'm sure you're smart enough to know the answer," the voice of Fujimaru Ritsuka echoed through the otherwise empty cathedral. He wasn't wrong, Bishop had a good idea why the mirror version of Decade was "here".
The Fangire's eyes studied any and all reflective surfaces he could see to catch a glimpse of Fujimaru. "You want to know what Swartz is planning."
"Mhmm." He couldn't see it, but he assumed Fujimaru was nodding. "None of this makes sense for him to do. I'm hoping you could give a hint to his end goal."
"Unfortunately, I am as equally clueless as you are." That was the truth and Fujimaru believed Bishop's answer. "But there is something I could tell you…"
"Let me guess, in exchange for a favour?" Fujimaru sounded exasperated but didn't refuse. "Fine, it's only fair. But the request better be within reason."
"Oh, it is. I simply want information." There was something itching in the back of Bishop's mind ever since his trip to Ryuki's World. "Swartz has been engrossed in a collection of books as of late. Procured from the World of Saber."
"Saber's books?" Fujimaru initially sounded confused but a hum of understanding soon rang out. "So that's what this is about… Guess it was too hopeful of me to assume he won't use them yet…"
Bishop took note of Fujimaru's loud muttering and continued, "Swartz told me even looking at the title of those books would risks insanity. What are they about?"
"…Swartz isn't wrong, even knowing the titles of those books could break you. Knowing what they're about… well, you understand. You sure you still want to know?"
"Yes." Without question.
"Very well." To Bishop's surprise, he could hear sullenness in Fujimaru's voice. "Those books, they contain—"
Chapter 35: Unknown Pasts, Known Futures
"WAIT!" He shouted as he chased after the now departing DenLiner. If he failed to get on it, he'd either have to wait or go look for the ZeroLiner. However, he'd much prefer not to interact with that Kiriya guy; Deneb was fine and he had no problems with him but Kiriya and him got off on the wrong foot during their first meeting and neither of them wanted to talk with the other unless it was needed.
'Dammit, why did you drop me off here?!' He mentally cursed the person who thought it was a fun idea to just give him a ticket and leave him in the station. They know where and when they're supposed to go yet he saw it fit to take the train. 'What good is opening portals if you can't even send me to the right place?!'
As he ran through the crowd, he could've sworn he saw a familiar tuff of blue hair on the other side of the platform. 'No, it can't be…' He threw the thought out of his mind and just focused on his current mission: get onto the DenLiner and reach 2001. Everyone was doing their own part in the greater mission and he had his part to play.
For the sake of everyone, he had to give it his all— even if it's only delaying the inevitable.
Shortly after…
After getting the information from the information broker, it was a beeline towards the other train parked in the station: the ZeroLiner. According to the Taros, the owner of the green bull-themed train was another Kamen Rider and ally to Ryotaro. However, while he was receptive to the idea, Kiriya Yuuto was quick to point out a problem with the idea.
"Without a ticket, I can't help you," he told them maybe a tad bit too harshly. "I need a specific date. Give me that first then I can take you to the past."
They were then escorted out by an apologetic Imagin that was Yuuto's partner. As rude as he was, Ciel agreed that they went to him prematurely. She should've gotten specifics from the broker before going to Yuuto. They were still as stuck as they were earlier.
As she listened out of the corner of her mind to Ryoko's loud complaints about "that guy's attitude", Ciel wondered if she should return and get more details from the broker. Alternatively, she could also try searching for the time-travellers that saw Ritsuka running around in 2001 but that was a long shot, especially since she had no idea who they could be. Their only description was something that applied to everyone in the station.
Bump— "Hey…" It was slightly embarrassing to admit she wasn't paying much attention to where she was going (even trailing behind the others slightly who were also discussing their options) but it was also the other person's fault for bumping into her. Still, she apologised: "Sorry for that. I wasn't watching my… Okay then."
The man ignored her and continued walking away. Whatever feeling of contrite she felt disappeared at the abject rudeness. "Just one person after another today," she mentally sighed.
She was about to resume walking too and catch up to the others when— "You are… Fujisaki's follower, right?"
"Huh?" Needless to say, that got her attention. It was clear who the man was referring to. "Who are you? How do you know—?"
"He's a fool, you know? A brave and determined fool, but a fool nonetheless," the man simultaneously complimented and insulted him. "You may not realise it yet, but he's in the middle of a never-ending journey… not unless he accepts there are things that are beyond human capacity."
Realising the man would only monologue and won't answer any questions yet, she settled on hearing him out and deciphering his words.
"All this time, he's been on a path he had every chance to walk off, even now. Yet he will not even though he doesn't remember what's waiting for him at the end. His true self knows and keeps pushing him towards it. When both true and real are in agreement, there is little that could change their minds."
"And you want me to lead him away?" That's what she assumed the man's point was.
"You? No, not you. I don't think anyone has what it takes to lead him astray," the man scoffed at her. "But someone believes you could. Or at least, he believes it will work this time. That's why I want to ask you—" the man finally turned around to see her eye-to-eye. "—do you believe fate could be averted? Or is it something inescapable like death? That even if you refuse it, you'll still become what you're meant to be in the end."
'Fate… death…'
"If I say that Fujisaki's fate is to become the greatest devil, would you believe me?" The smirk on the man's face irked Ciel. "His entire journey is faced with hardship and will always end in tragedy. It has happened before and will happen again… Knowing that, will you still follow and support him? You don't even truly know who he is yet."
Whether she hesitated in her answer didn't matter; the man still grinned upon hearing her reply.
"Then don't say you weren't warned," the man said as he reached into his pocket and threw whatever he grabbed at her. Ciel just barely managed to catch it as the man continued talking. "It's not exactly where the Fujisaki you're looking for is, but it's a big step in knowing where he was and where he's going."
Ciel took her eyes off the man to check what he gave her and realised it was another Ticket—precisely what she needed. The date written on it matched what she needed: 22.10.2001. "How do you kn—" she glanced back up to see that the man had disappeared in the brief seconds her eyes were off him. "Just… who are you?"
22nd October 2001…
"See you all tomorrow," Shouichi waved his co-worker goodbye as he finished his shift. He hummed to himself as he got onto his bike and revved its engine. 'What should I make for dinner…' he thought, trying to recall what he made in the past week.
Just as he was about to depart, however, the café door jingled as it opened. Shouichi glanced at it… only to see several faces he wasn't expecting to peek out from the doorway; they were three people he hadn't seen in a while (one of whom had his own albeit younger-looking face) while the other four were wearing mascot costumes.
One of said familiar faces spotted him and recognised him immediately too. "Aren't you… Igarashi?"
"Uh… do I want to know what's going on?" He reluctantly asked.
"Move it already!" The answer he got was the ones crowding the doorway getting pushed out and piling up on each other before the last person stepped out of the café and shut the door. "We shouldn't be wasting any time in the past," the young man scolded them before glaring at Shouichi. "As for you, just forget what you saw."
Shouichi, however, recognised the young man but couldn't recall from where or when. Regardless, he knew that whatever was going on, he'd be thrown right in the middle somehow.
"Wait, wait, wait!" Ryoko shouted as she untangled herself from the pile of bodies. "You're Igarashi Shouichi, right?!"
"Yes?" Sure, it was still an unexpected situation but why did she sound like he wasn't supposed to be here?
Shouichi watched as Ryoko turned towards the guy who pushed her and wryly told him, "Hey, jerk. You took us to the wrong year."
The man's reply was to cross his arms and say that was impossible. At this point, Shouichi had a good grasp of the situation. "Could it be… you guys are…" He trailed off as he watched the two continue arguing and ignore everything else.
'What is that guy up to this time?' He mentally sighed, already understanding that Ritsuka must have gotten into yet another pickle. Why else would his friends appear here without him? Everyone had agreed someone should be chaperoning him 24/7. 'Oh well, might as well help them with whatever it is.' It was the right thing to do; he would just have to call the household that he'd be running late.
Hopefully, they won't get into trouble while around.
Christmas 2008…
"This is the place… right?" Hakuno muttered to himself as he looked around the warehouse. This was where he felt the Bloody Rose was leading him yet there was nothing around. He doubted it was a false alarm; his father's violin was never wrong.
"Heeeey! Hakunoooo!" "Ha-kun! Are you here?!"
Hearing Kivat's and Tatsulot's voices before they flew into the spacious warehouse was the proof he needed that they were in the right place. If both of them were sent here too, then there was something here. A moment later, someone rushed into the warehouse while swinging a massive red sword. Had Hakuno not already known it was Momotaros, he would've easily mistaken him for an enemy.
"Where are they?! Let me at 'em!" The oni-like Imagin was as loud as usual; his head was darting around the area in search of something to direct his rage at. Upon spotting Hakuno, he pointed at him and shouted, "Vampire boy! Why'd your bats fly all the way here when there's no one?!"
"Hey! I'm a dragon, not a bat!" Tatsulot took offence at being called that.
Hakuno muttered, "I'm not sure…" He was just as perplexed as them. This has never happened before. The only explanation was if…
*BANG!*
"Watch out!" Before he could register the sound of gunfire, Kivat had already taken the bullet for him. The bullet didn't harm the bat that much thanks to his metallic-like body but a short, "Ow! Ow! Ow!", still came from him.
"Kivat! Who's there?!" He recalled Another Den-O not having any ranged capabilities from what little he saw of him, so it couldn't be the fake Rider. And since Bloody Rose called him here, that meant—
"Ahhhh… That was a close one."The sound of footsteps echoed all around them as the four found themselves now surrounded by more monsters. There were three that stood out from the ambushing monsters: a Fangire (who was the one who spoke), a triceratops-looking monster, and a robotic bipedal frog. "Decade isn't with you? That'll make this job even easier."
"A trap…?"
"All this just to kill some kid with noodle arms? You all should be ashamed of yourselves!"
Ignoring the small insult directed at him, Hakuno agreed with Momotaros. This small army seemed excessive just to assassinate him. However, the lead Fangire mentioned Ritsuka meant they knew he was running around again so they expected him to have been with Hakuno. There was still one problem for the monsters anyway.
Regardless of whether Ritsuka had been here— 'This isn't near enough to stop me.'
Maybe it was the confidence boost from obtaining the Zanvat but he wasn't overestimating his own abilities too much. On the flip side, he could also be underestimating the monsters surrounding him. Well, not the mooks but the triceratops' horns definitely could skewer him… Regardless, it was time for battle.
"Kivat, Tatsulot," Hakuno called upon them; his two partners shouted in affirmation as he raised his hand. Kivat quickly bit into it, summoning his belt, before flying onto his perch. At the same time, Tatsulot landed on Hakuno's arm where his own perch would be. "Henshin."
As the quicksilver engulfed his body, it moulded not into his normal form but his strongest. The liquid shattered to reveal the shining golden Emperor suit with its flowing red cape.
There was no sense holding back— better to be safe than sorry, Hakuno reasoned to himself.
Despite going straight into his final form, it did nothing to intimidate the monsters: "Get him!"
2001…
The sun soon set as the group of time travellers searched for their missing friends. The Taros were helping out too, having used the costume to disguise themselves. While it was rather creepy to see four mascots running around as it got dark, their help was appreciated nonetheless. It was also soon decided they should split up to cover more ground; Ryoko bemoaned the fact she had to go off with Yuuto and Ryutaros (plus Deneb).
Meanwhile, the other group led by Shouichi made their way across town to check Ritsuka's residence when they first were in Agito's World. It was a long shot but was still a lead. On the way, it was natural for Shouichi to try striking up a conversation.
"So what were you all up to before getting into this mess?" He wondered what sort of trouble Ritsuka had gotten into since the last time they met.
"Uh… We were just doing the same thing we did when we were here," Tetsuya shrugged. "Ritsuka was meeting new Riders, Ciel was his babysitter, and me…" He trailed off.
"Ah, got it." Maybe they should switch topics. "And how did you and Ryoko find Ritsuka? I remember him saying you guys were off doing your own things now." Well, Ritsuka said, "We agreed it was better they stayed back. So now it's just me, her and—"
"What?"
"What?" Shouichi repeated, not expecting that answer from his alternate self. He then realised that maybe there was a good reason they were surprised to see him. "Hang on, when was the last time we met?"
"This is the second time we're meeting," Tetsuya answered truthfully, "And it's not for yo—"
"I think it's better you just forget what I said." Shouchi swiftly tried changing the subject and ignored his other self to talk to Ciel. He still had to be careful and say something he shouldn't. "So… this is the first time you're coming back here after leaving, right?"
"Hmm?" It seemed Ciel was deep in thought about something. "Oh, yes. It's a bit strange, to be honest. But…"
"You know, some weird guys came by not too long after you all left," he revealed. "Apparently I was the last person to see you alive and they wanted to know if you were dead."
Ciel sighed out of both exasperation and exhaustion. It was not that big a surprise; it was natural for the Church to search for her after she was kidnapped by Ryoko. She did have one of their greatest weapons after all. However, she was slightly confused about how Shouichi remembered them since they normally would erase the memories of those who encountered the supernatural… or kill them.
She asked him that and Shouichi replied, "Probably because I saved one of them from a Lord," while shrugging.
"What did you tell them then?"
"I…said you ran off with someone," the man nervously laughed. He hoped Ciel wouldn't hit him for what he said.
Luckily for him, she didn't. She instead facepalm at the lame excuse he came up with. 'Then again, he didn't know it was an accident.' "It's fine… we're here anyway."
At long last, they've arrived at their destination. It was still early into the night so the lights were on. However, what was more surprising was the people going in and out of Ritsuka's former residence. Those people gave them some odd looks, mainly at Kintaros and Urataros who were still in costume behind them.
"Excuse me, what is this place?" Ciel asked the next person who came out.
"Huh? It's old man Ishiwaka's place," they answered before running off without another word.
While that name flew over most of their heads, one of them was more than familiar with it. "Old man Ishikawa's?" Tetsuya murmured. That was the name of the cafe owner back in his Original world; the cafe that would become their new home before they went on their journey. Was that just a coincidence or was there something more at play?
"Should we go in?" Shouichi asked/suggested. They might not find anything useful but— "?!"
A familiar sensation hit his head again. That meant… "A Lord!" He shouted before running off and making the others chase after him.
"I told you going here was a terrible idea!" Ryoko could not help but feel validation for warning Yuuto against searching the industrial district. While he did have a point in saying Ritsuka would probably get into a fight there (it has happened before), it was just as likely they would get in a fight too.
And she was right.
"Oh, zip it already," Yuuto snapped back as he kick away one of the Ant Lords. He spun around and punched another before taking out his transformation belt. "Fine…" he grumbled to himself as he put it on, "Looks like I have no choice."
He pushed back a switch on top of the buckle, causing it to activate, before taking out a black and green card from a container on the side. "Henshin!"
ALTAIR FORM!
He inserted the card into the buckle, causing the central circle to spin slightly and form a green A. Tracks formed around him as a black suit covered his body. His armour— simple green parts with a golden Y-shaped train track on his chest —appeared before attaching to him. Finally, green bullheads travelled along the tracks on his head before morphing into his visors.
Before making another move, he unsheathed a handle that appeared on his right hip and attached it to the large sword on his right. He pulled the sword out, swung it around, and planted it on the ground. "Let me say this to start!" He shouted, pointing at the hoard that ambushed them, "I am fairly strong! Deneb, keep an eye on the girl!"
Now that his catchphrase was out of the way, he could fight wholeheartedly while leaving his partner to take care of the annoying woman.
2008…
'I really need to get my own ride.' Decade thought to himself. He was currently IXA's passenger on his own bike as they rushed to help Hakuno and… whatever her name was; the twin's maybe half-sister assuming Otoya was still her father in this original timeline. Their family tree was a lot more complicated than it initially looks, the magenta Rider thought.
"They're up ahead!" IXA shouted over the wind. "Get ready!"
He already was; he just needed to settle on whose powers to use this time. 'I haven't used Yuusuke's or Hibiki's in a while…'
Soon enough, IXA skid to a halt as they arrived at their destination. As expected, Kiva in his Emperor form was still fighting a pink Triceratops. "A Dopant? Then that means Swartz sent these guys." Fujimaru's voice rang in his head. "That or Bishop's already going insane."
'Bishop? What does he have to do with this?' Sure they were in Kiva's World or year or whatever, but he's yet to encounter any Fangires besides Hakuno.
Fujimaru, naturally, gave him an irritating reply. "No reason, just go save those guys."
'Then why bring it up?' He mentally grumbled but went with what Fujimaru said.
Decade got off IXA's bike and immediately took out Hibiki's card. For a giant monster, the oni's power should suffice. "Henshin."
KAMENRIDE: HIBIKI
ATTACKRIDE: ONGEKIBOU REKKA
There was no better at making his presence known than by sending fireballs through the air…
2001…
Cut. Slice. Sever.
His target wasn't here yet. He had followed the wrong scent. And for that, he got caught in yet another fight. But why was she here? It was 2001 and she told her she didn't enter her line of occupation for several more years. Time was really all over the place now…
"Tetsuya!"
Oh right. There were also those two. He didn't recognise the girl but the guy, Tetsuya, he looked like a younger Shouichi. At least that made more sense. Shouichi became Agito this year as the story goes. That, naturally, led to the question of why hasn't he transformed yet. By this point, Shouichi should've already gotten his powers so why wasn't he using them? And why was he still called Tetsuya? Unless… 'Time is more screwed up than we thought.'
And Ritsuka said it was just an average Sunday. He has spent enough Sundays (or any other days for that matter) with that guy to definitively say it was not an average day. He sighed to himself, missing the time when all he had to worry about was if he could find something to eat.
Rip. Tear. Cleave.
The Lords went down with little effort. Divine or not, their bodies were still made out of flesh and bones— he could cut through them with no problems. After beheading the last one standing in his way, he set his eyes on the pair of twin Imagins. He has encountered their kind before— all of them brought nothing but headaches to him. Especially that purple one.
They all died the same anyway. He really doesn't need to worry.
A guttural scream ripped through his throat as he tried to finish at least one of them with a single cut. All he got was the clashing of steel as the Moles used their own massive claws to deflect his attack.
Flesh and bones were easy— metal was a bit tougher.
If there was anything positive about him showing up here by mistake, it was that the Imagins seemed afraid of him. "Ehhhh? Why's an Amazon like you doing here?!" One of them screeched.
He didn't answer them, obviously. He had nothing to say to them. To him, they were just another obstacle he had to power through. And if his claws were not going to cut it, he had to use something bigger.
BLADE LOADING!
Steam emanated from his sword as he summoned it. He still wasn't the greatest when using it despite (forced) training with those two but fighting with instinct rarely steered him wrong. And against simple monsters like the Mole Imagins, they didn't stand a chance. He'll sweep them up like dust and move on to more important matters.
*Crack*
In the end, all it took was one power swing of his sword to shatter the Mole Imagin's claws. The shards flew everywhere and with another swing, the monster was bifurcated— his sword cut through like a hot knife through butter. A cry barely escaped the Imagin as death claimed it.
And if that wasn't enough to make sure it was dead, its body exploded. 'Why do they keep doing that?'
"Tch, I'll remember this!" He heard the last remaining Imagin declare before it made its escape, digging into the ground and out of sight.
Now all that was left was the last few Lords around them. 'This will be a snap.' There were a lot more of them than him so that meant they'd be easy to slaughter. That was how situations like this naturally go. Ciel was also her; the only thing that would make it any more easier was if—
"Haaaa!"
Oh there he was. From behind, Agito basically flew through the air, Rider Kicking several Ant Lords and destroying them.
…Hang on, why were there two Shouichi now? Or Tetsuya?
'Ahhhh— I'll just deal with that headache later.' They were still in trouble; the Amazon buried the thought for now and refocused on getting them all out of this situation.
"Bang bang bang!"
'…Yeah, nope.' The sight of the Taros, specifically Ryutaros who was wildly firing his rifle while childishly yelling "Bang!" changed his plans. He was going to stick around after but there was no amount of protein that could convince him to be in the same room as Ryutaros.
To get away from the Imagin as fast as possible, the Amazon wasted little time in cutting through the few remaining Lords…
2008…
With three Riders there, it did not take long before the squad that ambushed Hakuno was wiped out. The Triceratops Dopant was quickly destroyed thanks to Hibiki's powers while IXA cut down the frog-themed robot. All that was left was the Fangire— "Damn you all! You will regret this day!"
All of them doubted that and activated their finishers.
WAKE UP!
FINAL ATTACKRIDE: DE-DE-DECADE DI-DI-DIEND
Needless to say, there was nothing left of the Fangire and the remaining mooks.
"Phew, that was a close one," DiEnd celebrated with a huff. He turned to the others and said, "See you all! We'll meet again at the next stop!" The last part was specifically directed at Ritsuka. The thief then disappeared by summoning another Aurora Curtain.
'At least the headache's gone.' That was a big positive, Ritsuka thought to himself as he took off the belt.
"Now that that's all over…" Muttered Keisuke, narrowing his eyes at Ritsuka. "What is going on? Most of them were not Fangires either."
Before he could reply, Hakuno stepped in and calmed Keisuke down. "Ah! Minami-san, don't worry too much about it. Honestly, you'd only be more confused if you knew more…"
That was putting it mildly. Anyway, where were Ryotaro and Momo?
"Hey! You three!" They turned their heads to see Megumi approaching them dragging the two Ritsuka was just thinking off. "Is it over?"
"…What's that thing?"
"HEY! I'M NOT A THING!"
"Oh boy…" Ritsuka buried his face in his hands. They really need to find Another Den-O and leave 2008 as soon as possible.
2001…
AMAZON BREAK!
The digitized voice along with the audible unfolding of Agito's horns signalled the end of the fight. With one swift synchronised move, the last couple of Ant Lords were destroyed, leaving only the humans and Imagins.
"That clinches it…" Amazon Omega muttered, dusting off his hands. He then pulled off his Driver, causing himself to revert to his human form. Hanging his bulky belt over his shoulder, he glanced at Agito (who had also detransformed). "Thanks for helping out." He had it but he appreciated the extra hand.
"Don't worry about it. Besides, I was already her—" Shouichi tried to say but was interrupted by the last Imagin the Amazon wanted to see.
"Ne, ne! Who are you?!" Ryutaros questioned in that annoying and childish voice of his. Luckily, he didn't need to answer as the other two more "normal" Taros pulled him back and let him address the others first.
Naturally, it was Ciel to thank him first: "You're… thank you."
He just gave a small hum in response. No sense in talking to her yet. He was planning to just leave and resume his search for his target but Shouichi had other ideas.
"Ah, I should probably introduce you guys," he said before gesturing to the trio. "You might already know them but these are Ciel, Tetsuya and Ryoko."
"Pleasure to meet you."
'Tetsuya? Ryoko?' The Amazon recalled their names being mentioned before. So that's who they were…
"And this is Tohno Shiki, Kamen Rider Amazon," Shouichi introduced him before adding, "But not the original one, right?"
The now-named Shiki noted the look of recognition on Ciel's face but found it a bit odd. He thought she would meet her Shiki further along in the future. What year did she say she first met hers?
"Shiki?" She muttered which prompted Shouichi to respond.
"Yes, we met a while back when—"
"Stop calling me that, I'm not a Kamen Rider," Shiki cut him off with an irritated tone. He spun around on the spot and walked towards his bike. "I don't know what's going on with you guys but it's better I know nothing of it." And vice versa, he mentally added. "Be careful, I won't be around to save you all next time."
"Wow. Rude much…" he overheard Ryoko's soft muttering. She wasn't too off the mark but giving them a good first impression wasn't on the forefront of his mind. If they disliked him, it mattered not. It wasn't like they would be meeting again. And for the only person he knew he'd see again, he already made a true first impression. Not this whole timey-wimey confusing mess.
"Ah, wait!" Shouichi stopped him from leaving. "Do you know where Ritsuka is? We were looking for him when…" he glanced around, letting the scene speak for itself.
"If I knew where that annoying guy was, I'd be with him," Shiki snarkily retorted before pulling down his helmet's visor. "I'll say this, keep an eye out. We're not the only time-travellers running around this period."
"We know that. We're also looking for—"
"I'm not talking about Swartz or whatever his new creation is." he interrupted Ryoko this time. "If you see something that shouldn't be here, turn around and walk away." With all he needed to say, the Rider from the future revved his engine again before riding off into the sunset.
"…What's with all the time travellers being jerks?" Ryoko muttered under her breath. The only exception so far was Ryotaro.
Speaking of which— "Hey! Don't run off like that! You're lucky these guys were pretty weak!"
2008…
"So that's the gist of the situation," Hakuno finished his explanation.
After the battle, it was natural they'd want to understand everything and despite Hakuno telling them it was better they didn't, Megumi strong-armed him into telling everything. And so, they went to mald'amour to talk.
Momo, however, was given a costume and forced to sit outside while the adults talked.
Back to the present, Hakuno and Ryotaro watched the two's reaction. Megumi's was more obvious; she looked deep in thought before— "Yup, I'm more confused than anything."
"Told you…" Hakuno muttered before glancing at Keisuke who had been quiet the entire time. "Minami-san?"
"…"
"Hey." Megumi shook him and listened carefully to his breathing. His eyes were closed so maybe … "…Yup, he's asleep."
"That's two-for-two." It was Ritsuka who sighed this time. Megumi didn't understand a word they said and Keisuke wasn't listening at all. "We better continue our search." The sooner they leave, the better.
As he motioned for Ryotaro and Hakuno to follow him up and out, the thought-to-be-sleeping man suddenly spoke. "No, I understand everything." Keisuke opened his eyes and stared directly at Ryotaro. "As someone who's travelled back to fix something in the present, I sympathise with you and your mission."
"…Hold up a second, what?" Megumi was now even more lost. "What do you mean "travelled back to fix something"?!"
"It's a long story," Keisuke brushed her off. "What's important now is preventing something terrible from happening."
"I don't think you actually understand what was actually said." Firstly, Ryotaro wasn't from the future (not this one, anyway). Secondly, they were not here to fix anything so he couldn't actually sympathise with them.
Keisuke didn't hear him, however, and continued while closing his eyes— "Before I was attacked, one of my contacts informed me demons were wandering the northern parts of town. Surely the one you're looking for is there."
That… was actually helpful. "Thank you," Ryotaro bowed gratefully. They were now one step closer to ending this whole crazy journey through time.
"…"
"Minami-san?"
"…zzz."
"Just go ahead," Megumi sighed at her sleeping partner. "I'll take care of him."
They didn't need to be told that twice. Barely a second passed and Ritsuka was already out of there, dragging the two behind him.
As they exited the cafe, Hakuno shouted goodbye and said he'll see them later.
With Hakuno leading them, the four (after picking up a fuming Momo) soon reached the place Keisuke directed them to. While "northern parts of town" was still a large area to cover, Ritsuka asking Hakuno about Bishop helped narrow the search radius by a lot.
"He tends to hang around the cathedral in this parts… according to Taiga," he quickly added the last part. "Don't tell Keisuke and the others, okay? Knowing him, he'd be on a warpath and I don't think he could take Bishop."
From his limited interactions with him, Hakuno was not wrong. Sure, Keisuke was skilled as IXA but Ritsuka doubted it was enough for Bishop; especially since the Fangire might have backups in the form of Swartz's group.
"So what's the plan when we do find that faker?" Momotaros brought up a genuine point. They've failed on several encounters to defeat Another Den-O. Even Fourze in his strongest form couldn't stop him permanently.
"Leave it to me." He didn't actually have a plan yet. He'll burn that bridge when he gets to it.
It wasn't long before they reached the cathedral and, already anticipating a battle, slowly pushed the large wooden door open. "We're coming in…" Hakuno quietly announced their entrance.
However, whatever they were expecting, it was not the sight before them. "What… what happened here?" Most of the furniture was smashed to bit; wooden splinters littered the floor from the destroyed pews, and shattered glass reflected light onto the ceilings.
"Huh… didn't expect his reaction would be this bad," Fujimaru commented.
'What did you do?'
"I just dropped by answered a question Bishop had," he answered as Ritsuka and the others combed through the rubble for clues. "But seeing all this means he'll be out of our hair for a bit."
Could have been more useful earlier before they were attacked but at least they did not have to worry as much anymore.
After a minute or so of searching, it was Ryotaro who found something. "Hey! Over here!" He called the others over. The time traveller had moved a large slab of wood and noticed some glass shards in a strange pattern. He took a closer look and realised that there were small bloodstains underneath them. "Did someone…" Ryotaro muttered as the others reached him.
While Momotaros was just as confused as his partner, it only took one glance for the other two to make a safe assumption. "Could this be…" If it was who Ritsuka think it was, then they were in trouble; he doubted a ticket would work on a piece of glass.
In any case, there was one thing clear— "The Another Rider isn't here." Whether he had already gone further into the past was unclear but they won't find any answers here.
"Oh, not so fast," Fujimaru chimed in. "There should be a backroom somewhere. See if Bishop left behind anything useful."
"Fujimaru-san? Where are you going?"
Ritsuka mostly ignored Ryotaro, replying that he'll look around some more. Soon enough, hidden out of view in one of the alcoves on the sides, he found a door leading to a study. He entered it and began his investigation. 'What exactly should I be looking for?' Ritsuka muttered to himself.
He cursory glance around and all that stood out were the old tomes and volumes on the bookshelves. There was also a table with a single open book under a night light but checking it out was a dead end; it was written in an old language he couldn't read. 'No clues then,' Ritsuka mentally grumbled.
Fujimaru, on the other hand, sounded surprised there was nothing."Huh, so he took it with him."
'What are you talking about?'
"Bishop wanted proof about what I told him. I gave it anndd you saw his reaction."
'And what exactly did you show him?' After asking that, he felt Fujimaru's presence disappear from his mind. 'Tsk, annoying prick.'
"Fujimaru-san! Where are you?!" He heard the others calling out for him; since there wasn't anything else, he exited the study to regroup with them.
"What's our next step?"
To be frank, Ritsuka had no idea either. They've reached an impasse with no clue if their target is even still in this point in time anymore. They might as well just pray for a divine sign to point them in the right—
RING RING RING
"Oh, that's mine." Hakuno apologised before taking out his phone and answering the call. "Hello? What's wrong, Jiro?"
Great, it was the last person Ritsuka wanted to meet in 2008. He threw away his Pass and the Wolfen came close to ripping his head off the last time Ritsuka pissed him off. Here's hoping the other two Arms Monsters will stop him again.
Not noticing the grimace on Ritsuka's face, Hakuno continued talking with Jiro. "You found what? Hmm… Alright, we'll head on over." He ended the call with a confused expression and glanced at them. "Say… were you guys need to move on again?"
2001…
Under the cover of the night, Ciel jumped from rooftop to rooftop, trying all she could to find Shiki again. 'Where is he? What's he looking for?' Those thoughts ran through her mind.
She had left the task of finding Ritsuka to the others while she went on her own mission. It would be nice if she finds him too but the new alternate version of that young man she met all those years ago was now her main priority. "Who is he? How's he different?" Not just to the first version she met, but also to Eternal.
From their quick interaction, it was clear this Shiki was more abrasive and defensive. At the same time, he did show some concern for their well-being, telling them to be careful and stay out of his way. Naturally, that meant something else was going down here in 2001 and Shiki was going to deal with it alone. Even though things went in his favour before, she can not in good faith leave him to his own devices.
'No, stop thinking like that. He's not the same one.' She slapped herself out of that thought process. They were different people… most likely.
The big question regarding this Shiki was why he was in the past. He's hunting something, that much was clear. What that something is was a complete mystery but it was definitely trouble; one different from what they were already dealing with.
"So all of this has to turn out fine…" Ciel muttered to herself, stopping her jumps and standing on the edge of the rooftop. That was good news at least, she needed that after all that's been happening lately. Returning to this year was unsettling and confusing to her.
She should still be at this point in time in her hometown in France. Roa should be close to taking complete control over her past self's body by this point and then the incident will happen in a couple of months…
As she thought of the vampire that ruined her life, a strange thought went through her mind. She thought of it before but now that it was a likely now… "If Roa's alive then does the mean…?" It would be easy to test that hypothesis; a simple stab and wait should do. Her eyes cast downwards at the streets and for a brief second, the small part of her that she's been ignoring for the past how-many-years reared its ugly head.
Ciel shook her head to get rid of that intrusive thought. "Stop thinking about that," she scolded herself. She shouldn't be thinking about that in the first place. However, one good thing came out of it; she saw a familiar red bike parked next to the sidewalk. "That's…"
In the end, she still jumped down albeit safely and landed next to the unique motorcycle Shiki (presumably) owned; the front part did resemble his helmet. Luckily, there was no one around to see her so it was safe for her to look around. Since he was not on the street or sidewalks themselves, she reasonably assumed he was in the adjacent alleyways.
She peeked over the corner of the nearest entrance but initially saw nothing due to the darkness. However, she could hear rustling and the banging of metal coming from further in. 'It could be him.' But just in case, she pre-emptively readied a couple of her Black Keys.
The Executor cautiously stepped into the dark alley and as she got closer to the source of the noise, which was around the next corner behind the building, she could hear someone mumbling over it.
"—et back, you're really getting it this time…" It was easy for Ciel to place a name to the annoyed grumble. She let out a relieved sigh at finally succeeding in finally finding someone. However— "…What are you doing here?"
'Huh?'
"I heard you and can smell you," Shiki revealed. "Stop making me use my sense of smell, it's bad enough having to root through all this."
Seeing as she was found out (much to her surprise), Ciel turned the corner to see Shiki going through the dumpster looking for something. He didn't even spare her a glance before saying, "I told you to continue doing your own thing while I do mine. And since Ritsuka is not the type who'd go dumpster diving for dinner, I'm assuming you were looking for him."
This Shiki was more perceptive than the one she knew, Ciel will give him that. Ironic considering he wasn't wearing glass— 'Wait, no.' "You wear glasses?"
"Yes." He was blunt in his reply. "And unlike you, I actually do need them," he added before mumbling, "Not always though…"
Sounds like another long story. Everyone had that, didn't they? "Why are you looking for food here?" She never thought any version of Shiki to be a dumpster diver. Then again, she never thought about alternate Shikis until recently.
Shiki had another snarky reply for her. "Because all the money I have on me was minted after 2001. Can't be using that around here."
"Then why don't you ask Igarashi for help? He would be more than willing to help you out." Just like he did for them in this whole mess. Compared to that, fixing up a meal for Shiki was incredibly minor.
"Nah, don't want to impose on him. Besides, he's busy helping you guys, isn't he?" He had a point but— "Ah, this should be good enough." Ciel had to squint to see what Shiki picked out; a half-eaten burger still wrapped in paper. With his meal secured, he saw it best to make his exit.
Shiki walked past her, only giving her a brief glance, and gave her one last warning. "Stop following me, please. I'm only here to do what I want; I don't need to worry about anyone getting hurt around me."
Hidden under his harsh tone, Ciel could hear the genuine concern in his voice. His final warning only left one thought in her mind: 'What have you been through…?'
2008…
"Jiro! Calm down!" "Let me at him! That was the last straw!" "Stop… Now…"
As expected, the Wolfen did not react well to Ritsuka losing his property. Luckily for him, the other Arms Monsters were holding him back from killing him again, letting Ritsuka inspect the ticket thoroughly.
And by that, he meant he passed it off to the more experienced time traveller to check.
"Hmm… It definitely genuine," Ryotaro noted, checking both sides again. "But how did it get here?"
Jiro's call to Hakuno earlier turned out to be because they had found a ticket tucked into one of the many bookshelves of Castle Doran. With the twin who actually lived in the castle temporarily missing, he instead contacted Hakuno because he knew it was not something they could ignore.
"October 19th, 1999. Did something happen that day?" Ryotaro loudly wondered while gazing at the ticket.
Ritsuka's answer was to say it didn't matter and yoink the ticket out of his hand. "It's where we have to go next. We can figure out what happens there." Not like they had any other options left. "Come on, we better get going."
"Ye-yeah."
"Already leaving, eh?" Momotaros didn't sound too excited by the prospect. "We didn't even find where that imposter went."
"If all goes right, then going to 1999 should work out in our favour." Ritsuka already had a working theory of how the ticket ended up on the bookshelf. Whether he was right or not remains to be seen. "Thanks for helping out, Haku," Ritsuka offhandedly showed his appreciation to the half-human.
Hakuno, however, thought the thank you was premature as they were still far from finished. He tried to raise his concerns, "But—"
"It's better you stay here in case some more of those guys show up." Ritsuka already had an argument ready. "Momo, put your head back on."
"Come on, it's uncomfortable!"
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say." Hakuno watched with mild amusement as Ritsuka grabbed the costume head and put it on Momotaros. While he wanted to continue helping them, Hakuno understood that there was nothing else he could do for the three now.
"Alright… I'll entrust the rest to you then," he relented with a small smile. "But next time you all come around, stick around for a bit longer, alright?" He didn't mind fighting alongside him again even if it meant something big was going on. Hopefully by then, Ryotaro will be able to transform again.
With no reason to decline, Ritsuka nodded as he and Ryotaro dragged Momo towards the door.
"It's a promise then," Hakuno muttered as the three left. Sighing, he thought, 'I better get things ready for later too…'
19/10/1999…
A short trip on the DenLiner later and the three arrived at their next stop. This time, they exited into a crowded waterfront in the city. The sound of laughter and waves from the nearby lake filled the air as if all was right in the world.
'Then why do I feel uneasy here,' Ritsuka thought as he glanced around. He waited for a mental reply but no words appeared in his head. That was probably a bad sign.
Ryotaro, on the other hand, didn't notice Ritsuka being tense and innocently asked, "What's our next step?"
"Huh? Oh, I'm not sure yet," Ritsuka answered after being snapped out of his small trance. "Something tells me we won't be meeting any more Riders I know here."
"So what you're saying we're completely lost here?" Momotaros grumbled, "And after you say we should be heading here too—"
"Here!"
"Huh?" Without thinking, Momo took the balloons that were presented to him out of nowhere. Before his brain could catch up, someone grabbed his shoulder, turned him around, and pushed him into the middle of the walkway.
"Hey, kids! Mister Momo here has something for all of you!"
"Huh?! Ah! Wait! Get away from me!" Within seconds of that announcement, kids visiting the waterfront with their families swarmed the costumed Imagin, dragging him off away from the others.
"Ah, Momotaros!"
"Don't worry about it, he'll be fine." The person who handed the balloons to Momo waved off Ryotaro's concern. "So, 1999? Really going further and further back."
"Why are you so surprised, Takaragi?" Ritsuka crossed his arms, already annoyed at the travelling thief. "You already knew this was our next stop."
"Yeah, but still—" Takaragi shrugged. "—this day in particular isn't a great sign, even if it makes sense why this would be someone's strongest memory."
His reply made Ritsuka raise an eyebrow. "You know what's going to happen?"
"Yup, but it's better that you see it for yourself. Telling you two wouldn't matter since there's nothing either of you could do."
"But is the Another me actually here?" Ryotaro interjected, driving the talk toward the more important topic.
Takaragi shrugged at his question, "To be honest, I'm not 100 percent sure either. I came here because this was where those grunts that attacked us in 2008 came from, or at least where they were before they were in 2008."
"How'd you find that out?" Ritsuka was genuinely curious about that. He didn't think Takaragi had enough time to interrogate any of the mooks before they were destroyed.
"Simple, really. They left a path when they jumped from here to 2008," Takaragi answered truthfully and continued, "It's pretty weird. Traces like those aren't usually left behind unless the connection made between both ends was too strong to naturally degrade instantly."
"..."
"Judging from your look, you didn't understand a word I said," Takaragi pouted and a bit miffed at Ryotaro's reaction. "Let's just say it's dimension travel stuff and leave it at that."
Ritsuka was already fed up with him and let Takaragi know. "Do you have something useful to tell us or will you continue being a bother?"
"Of course, I do. Don't go doubting me, Ritsuka~" Takaragi smirked with a puffed chest. "Assuming that this year is not the last stop on Another Den-O's trip—"
'It's not; I still have three more tickets.' Granted one of them might end up being the ticket that took them here.
"—and he'll be going further back, then I know where his final destination is."
"Say it then."
"Swartz is trying to send him to the beginning, that much we know for sure." It was clear Takaragi was stalling if only to annoy Ritsuka further. "Since we've gone past the year 2000, the beginning he was referring to could only be one year in particular."
"Uh… I don't think I'm following too well," sighed Ryotaro.
Meanwhile, a faint whisper was in Ritsuka's mind. "If not 2000, then…" He muttered before his eyes shot up in realisation. "You don't mean—?"
"Yup," Takaragi smirked again. "If 2000, the beginning of the Heisei Riders, isn't Swartz's goal then it has to be the beginning of us Kamen Riders as a whole."
A specific year appeared in Ritsuka's mind and he mindlessly said it aloud. "1971…"
Next time on Across the Kaleidoscope…
"The year the first Rider was born and our history began."
"Tokyo has always been a hotspot of disasters in the Rider Worlds, you know. Even if there's no Riders active now doesn't mean—"
"—hunt what I want to hunt…"
"Fall into despair, girl! Become one of us!"
"What's… What is that…?"
Chapter 36: Dual Fates
"That was a close one…" she heard her rescuer sighed in relief. "Close your eye…bit, alright? This night…will be over by the tim…wake up…"
She couldn't keep her eyes open for much longer. However, she felt her saviour gently laid her rapidly fainting body down against the railing support.
"Now… It's showtime!" Those words echoed in her mind as—
"SWARTZ!" The door very nearly came off its hinges as the angry Fangire stormed in. With a sigh, the Time Jacker closed the book he was reading and spun his seat around to face his visitor.
Despite how clearly in duress Bishop was, Swartz kept his calm, calculating demeanour as he spoke. "What can I do for you, Bishop? Did you not say you'll be staying in your own World for the time being?"
"Is it true!?" Bishop demanded, "Was what Decade say are written in those books the truth?!"
"Hmph…" A sly smirk stretched across Swartz's face. Even though he had not explained himself yet, Swartz knew what truth Bishop was talking about. After all, he already read about it.
"Yes, what Decade says is correct." Swartz didn't even attempt to divert from the script yet.
Even in his less than stellar mindset, Bishop could see the truth in his superior's eyes. "Then…" He stuttered, raising the proof Fujimaru gave him earlier, "What happened in this was real?"
"There should be a fair few embellishments but… yes, that was what happened," answered Swartz without missing a beat. "Now, do you see why I kept this hidden from you?"
As expected, Bishop didn't respond for several moments. Finally— "That's why you set up everything you did in Kamen Rider Blade's World? All so you can gain this forbidden knowledge?"
"Correct." Swartz opened the book to the right page and read what he was supposed to do next.
"Even now, all is going according to script. That—" He closed the book again and presented the cover and title for Bishop to see. "—is the power these books hold."
Still in complete shock, Bishop read the book's title— "Kamen Rider… Decade…"
A/N: And done with the next chapter~ Finally dropping an actual massive story reveal instead of just a reveal only important in a specific arc. I feel like it's been a while since I last did one.
Anyway, in this chapter, a certain someone has finally appeared after that tease I did back in Hibiki's arc, I think? I know I also mentioned him in Agito's arc. Pretty sure you guys can guess who that is. The bigger question is what he's up to at the moment.
We also get stuff about the story's future in the form of the 2001 sections. What Shouichi and AmazonOmega!Shiki said will obviously be important… eventually. They will make sense with time (or not shrugs). We also now know that Another Den-O's target is Ichigou but does that mean that 1971 will be the ending of this arc? Probably tbh. I only have one other specific year planned (which was supposed to be featured in this chapter too) so we'll see. 1999 will still be important though, just you wait.
Naturally, the biggest reveal is obviously the ending (well, post-ending) and for those who don't get it, watch Super Hero Senki. And you can't say it's not something coming out of the blue. All you need to do is look back to the Agito arc and it'll also point towards a major discrepancy (dunno if that's the right word) that's also present in this chapter. That's all the hint I'm gonna give in regards to this specific plot point for now.
As always, please leave a review and see you all next time!
Oh yeah, almost forgot but I have a side story to this fic now. It's called Peering into the Kaleidoscope and be about the other Riders in this fic… mainly the Protag-Riders. The first chapter is about Ryuki!Shirou and how he entered the Rider War… again.