Disclaimer: I don't own Kamen Rider Faiz or Monster High G1. They belong to their respective creators, namely Toei and Mattel. For those that will ask, this story takes inspiration from Ten-Faced Paladin's story, Knights of the Otherworld. I write this as a fan of both franchises, wanting to make something as awesome and awe-inspiring like their stories. Feel free to comment.
The Champions of Monster High
By Yutilov
Chapter 1: The Rider of New Salem
New Salem, a small if not quiet town that is the definition of normal. Everything in this sunny and average part of the world is from the common places that you expect to find like the town school, the park, the police section, and even a newly opened coffee shop with zero customers. Truly your average place who didn't have anything extraordinary or noteworthy about it... or at least on one side.
On the other side, a similar but different world exists... a world of beings which humans reject in kind... Beings whose origins are concealed in many mysteries and wonders, who live in a world so similar to our own but also different at the same time.
The town of New Salem is a place that acts as a bridge between these contrasting worlds, although the residents of both sides don't have the friendliest relationship with each other. Thankfully, no major conflicts occured that would further destabilize the already frail balance between them.
CLANG!*
Or at least until now...
The sounds of steel clashing echoed through the simple empty street of the town as two figures were seen battling. On one side, stood a humanoid creature with a fish-like face devoid of any emotions visible on it's glassy eyes, covered in light-gray scale refined armour that seemed to be a part of it's body with small rhombus shapes covering the chest area and a cracked emblem around the waist and chains hanging below the shoulders. The creature itself wielded a trident, a ligh-gray spear with three intertwined tips that added to it's fish motif. It grunted and wildly thrust it's weapon, showing that in spite of it's warrior-like appearance, it was a beast that only knew how to attack.
And the one that faced the mindless thrusts of the beast was it's opposite in many ways. It was a human, wearing a black bodysuit with silver armour. Red lines going through his body, uniting in the middle of his chest armour and round shoulder plates giving the impression of a collar ending, the lines ending in his hands and feet, both covered in futuristic metal braces and knees armor for protection. Around his waist was a silver metal belt equiped twith two empty slots on the sides, and in the middle with a closed cellphone, having a yellow emblem-like shape with red accents going vertically into a straight line. Likewise, his features were covered by a black helmet with a silver mouthguard with the same emblem present on his belt, a yellow round visor with a straight silver line with a green rectangular gem in the middle, ending in a short pair of antenae, giving the strange impression of giant bug-like eyes.
As the battle raged on, the human struggled to defend himself against the fish-like creature's relentless attacks. He dodged one strike from the trident and tried to go for a side-hook in it's face, but the creature was faster and prepared to use it's weapon to try and stab it's opponent in the chest.
"Look out-!" called a voice from behind as the owner soon entered in the battle. Unlike them, it was a young woman. She is slim, sporting a combination of chocolate skin and caramel-fur on her body with wavy, waist-length brown hair with coral-brown streaks. Her eyes being golden-yellow with magenta lips as sharp fangs can be seen potrotruding out of her mouth, and triangle-shaped ears like a wolf which are adorned two golden hoop-earrings each. Her clothing consists of a pink, tiger-striped top beneath a black jacket ringed in faux fur at the cuffs and collar. A purple skirt and silken underskirt accented her legging-covered legs and drew attention to her knee-high pumps and the many straps that came along with them.
It was clear that she isn't an average girl, as no matter how mindless the creature looked, it seemed to have a semblance of intelligence as it slowly took a step back with a grunt, seemingly wanting to analyze his new opponent. As for the wolf-eared girl, in spite of this strange situation, she is keeping her calm, her eyes scanning the fish-like creature in return. Huffing, she then turned to the armored man doing the same thing.
"What in ghoul's-!" before she could continue, the creature mindlessly charged at her with it's spear raised towards her head, but the armored man pushed her aside and took the hit straight in the face sending him down for the count.
"What are you doing!?" she shouted to the creature. Her golden eyes filled with anger and a tint of worry, but the fish-like creature turned it's glassy eyes upon her as it slowly approached.
"If you think that-!"
ROAR!*
"Oh, ghoul..." she gulped.
(*)
Yeah... Not quite a good start of your densetsu if you ask for my great opinion, gaki!
...Chotto matte, I forgot to inroduce myself, oopsie.~
Well my identity for now it's going to remain in the yami, but for those that want to guess, I'm neither the armored yuusha that isn't doing a particularly good job nor the girl with okami features, and for the conspiracy theorists, NO! I'm not the fish bakemono that attacked them!
I will make sooner my debut in the this monogatari, but for now, remain in your seats, and let's go back to the basho where it all began for our eiyuu, kay?
(*)
U.S - Saint Brahm Acadamy
Saint Brahm Academy. This is a private school that is one of America's finest and most exclusive educational institute. The very building is modeled in gothic style, similar to a smaller castle, having stained-glass windows, but also golden edges and pillars that added to it's royal-like theme with statues of famous individuals that helped humanity from writers and artist, to kings and inventors, and of course statues that depicted the previous head masters. In conclusion, Saint Brahm Academy was one of America's gems for the elite. Was being the fact that for less than a few years already, the school opened it's doors for the common masses and gave the opportunity for regular students to attend. Meaning that some courses had to be cut or lessened in order for the normal folk to better adapt in this prestigious school.
Today is another regular day, students walking in their school uniforms consisting of a black with yellow trims suit and pants or skirt for girls. Many were entering the famous academy and going to their separate ways, depending on their year, but among the crowd of black and yellow, one figure stood out. Like many others, he entered through the golden gates of the school to start his day, but instead of the typical and obligatory uniform that many wear, he weared a pair of torn jeans, regular sneakers and a opened black leather jacket with a hood covering his face and plain white shirt.
As he made his way through the school halls, he caught the eye of another student who seemed to be studying him intently. The student approached him and took off his hood, showing that he has pale skin with long messy light-gray hair that almost reached his shoulders and amber eyes.
"Blake Wolfson... As expected of you. I believe you are aware this is more than the first or final warning about your uniform," the student informed him.
"Ask if I care Mikey," responded the now-named teen, Blake, going past the student that narrowed his eyes.
"...After hours, you are to present at the old library and assist with a freshman in transporting valuable documents and materials of the Academy. Be there and I won't report you," he informed the passing Blake. "Also my name is not Mikey."
(*)
Library – Saint Brahm Academy
As expected of one of the most prestigious schools in the country, Saint Brahm Academy possesses a great library far exceeding regular ones not just in scale size, but also in the mountains of books detailing many subject known and recorded by mankind. But the passage of time unfortunately leaved this once majestic palace of knowledge as a shadow of it's former glorious self. With the development of technology, books were slowly losing their value, now nothing more then hosts to dust, mold, and spiderwebs.
As per agrement, the lone student, Blake Wolfson, arrived in this supposed abandoned part of the school where he met with 'Mickey' and another short and scrawny student.
"Thank you for making time and deciding to show up, Blake Wolfson," said 'Mickey'. "Your contribution in this task to help the Academy is greatly appreciated."
"Yeah, yeah. Stop trying to sound high and mighty and tell me what dusty books I have to carry so you'll leave my fashion taste alone," scoofed Blake.
'Mickey' chuckled and replied. "As you seem to be in such a good mood, why don't you lend a hand and help the new first-year, Maximilian, in carrying the books from section D and C near section M for inventory."
"...You're lucky I don't have anything else to do," said Blake, going his way to the assigned part of the library. "Come, newbie." he gestured to the first-year that shyly pointed to himself. "Yes, you. Now, move or you'll be carrying all the books by yourself."
With hesistation, the first-year slowly followed Blake in his way, leaving 'Mickey' behind.
As Blake walked through the library, he was greeted by the musty smell of old paper and dust. The section where he was forced to take books off the shelves was of course filled with hundreds of them. Some of which he had seen or heard of before, while others were completely new to him. "Me and my big mouth..." he sighed and shuffled his jacket sleeves before turning to his anxious partner. "You take the books on the right side. I'll go for the left."
"O-Okay..." the new-year shakily replied.
(*)
3 Hours Later...
After carrying through countless books from one place to another, both students were tired from this ordeal which they haven't even completed by half yet. Blake spotted a nearby chair and took a seat, neverminding it's shobby state.
"Hah... hah... my back..." gasped the scrawny student in pain.
"You're too young to complain about your back," shot Blake from his chair. "Take the other seat and let's have five minutes for a break."
"B-But... t-the... hah... assignment...hah."
"You can work like a mindless drone under Mickey for all I care, but if you collapse later, it's not my damn fault," Blake retorted, seeing that for a second the student Maximilian was in deep thought, as if his health was the least of his problem before completing the task assigned. After a moment, he slowly took the opposite seat. "See, it wasn't so hard thinkin-"
"Hey, hey! GUYS!" shouted a loud voice, that surprised both students. The owner soon revealed itself to be another student, slightly taller than Blake with a similar hairstyle, and having by his side another student with shorter styled hair. Blake could only sight as he knew both and didn't have the best relationship either.
"What are you doing here Leon?" asked Blake, turning to the taller student. "Since when does a party guy like you wants to spend time in a dusty library?" then turned to the other student. "And why am I not surprised you got dragged into this Ken?" he asked himself, not even bothering to make eye contact.
"Well Mr. Grumpy," the student began, putting his hand around Blake's shoulder, much to his dissatisfaction. "I heard that our common friend who loves the school with all his heart wanted to make a bit of a cleanup and thought I could come and help." Leon replied with a prideful smile, looking around the room with a mix between curiosity and awe akin to a child.
"And I'd be a fool to actually believe such a thing coming from you," snarled Blake, rising from his seat. "You must be here for something other than your goodwill."
Leon put his hand to his chest, feigning hurt. "Auch! My heart! I just wanted to lend a helping hand. You know, for the Academy," As he spoke, Blake couldn't help but roll his eyes at the display of arrogance.
"I-I think it's amazing what this place used to be like..." Maximilian chimed in, trying to enter in the conversation, only to be ignored.
"...Ask if I'd care. Just take your leave," Blake said, finally sitting back down.
"Leon may be a bit troublesome, no offense," Ken said, approaching Blake's seat.
"None taken, buddy!" the aforementioned replied.
"But he has a point and means well. It seems you both are tired and we can help you if you want," he offered, only for Blake to roll his eyes.
"T-That would be wonder-"
"No," Blake said calmly. "Just leave."
"B-But there are a lot more books. M-Maybe we can..."
"No," Blake repeated, cutting off the student's argument. "I appreciate your offer, but I'm not interested in getting help with a bunch of worthless books. Me and the new guy will be fine." As Blake finished, he could see the disappointment in 'Ken' eyes, but he didn't care. He was already too tired to deal with these kind-hearted antics and if a certain superiority complex appears.
"May I ask, what are you two doing?" speak of the pesterer, it seems 'Mickey' has come .
"Hey, hey! Mickey! Me and my buddy want to lend a hand in cleaning up, you know," replied Leon with a grin, as he gestured to the piles of books scattered around the room. "We were told it would help the Academy and stuff." he said, only getting raised eyebrows as he could only sigh. "And you know, maybe a good deed that would be repayed for a party at your giant mansion."
'"As much as you're intending and willing to help, my answer will remain the same each time," 'Mickey' said calmly.
"But why not?" Leon questioned. "You could use some extra hands to help with the books, and who knows, maybe we can even find something interesting along the way."
"I'm sorry, but I still say no," said 'Mickey' firmly.
"You two are annoying," Blake said, rising from his seat, preparing to leave.
"Where are you going? Your duty is far from over," 'Mickey' declared, grabbing Blake by the arm and trying to pull him back. But he didn't account for Blake to fight back and overpower his grip, sending 'Mickey' against a bookshelf with many books falling down. The others looked at Blake in shock as the books tumbled down, creating a mess in the room.
"Blake!" Ken exclaimed, stepping forward to help pick up 'Mickey' from the fallen books mess and sitting him in the vacant chair. "Why did you do that!"
"He asked for it," Blake countered. "And I'm not interested in helping anymore." As Blake turned to leave the library, something caught his attention. It was a book, like many others in a library, but there was something different about the cover. It was made of black leather in a scale-like pattern, having an image of a skull with bat wings, and strangely a pink ribbon at the top with a rusty lock in the middle, broken most likely by the fall.
The book caught Blake's eye, "What is this?" As he picked it off the pile, he felt a chill run down his spine.
"Blake, you should apologize to him," requested Ken, distracting him.
"He deserved it," uttered Blake, turning to face 'Mickey'. While for the others that were filled with concern towards him, Blake knew very well that a few books wouldn't hurt him. That's just an act.
"I know you two are always off on the wrong foot, but this doesn't-" Ken tried saying, but paused as 'Mickey' rose from his seat and gazed at the book.
"What are you doing with this?" 'Mickey asked, his eyes narrowing as he stared at the skull on the cover. "Such a horrific thing shouldn't exist in this library."
The other students in the room grew more intrigued and began to gather around.
"Really? One second you were down and looked like I've broken your bones, and now you worry about a book that is probably just a joke from somebody?" Blake drily remarked. "It's just a silly book, don't worry about it." But 'Mickey' wasn't convinced.
"The presence of this thing in the Academy's library is unacceptable," he said. "We must report it to the school authorities."
Blake scoffed at the suggestion. "Are you serious? You think a dusty unopened book is dangerous? How do you know that?"
"I'm not going to debate this with you," replied 'Mickey', his eyes narrowing.
"It's just a book. See?" Blake pointed out, opening the book and flipping through it's pages to annoy 'Mickey'. But what he failed to notice was that as he flipped through the pages of the book, a faint pink light grew from them.
"Uh, dude..." tried saying Leon.
"What?" asked Blake, still flipping the pages without a look.
As Blake flipped through the pages, the pink light grew brighter and brighter until it was almost blinding. "Huh? What is..." he asked, noticing, shielding his eyes from the light. As the light grew more powerful, the book was dropped and the light grew more powerful, basking the five students in it's light.
Soon the light dyed out, along with anyone who was in this room.
(*)
???
"Ugh, my head... What on earth happened?" asked Blake as he found himself on the ground together with the others. He didn't remember what happened after the book began to glow like it caught fire, but somehow the lights in the room have gone out as they're in complete darkness. The students looked around in confusion, trying to figure out what had happened. They couldn't see anything, but the next moment, blue orbs of fire began to manifest around them, bringing some semblance of light.
"W-What are these!?" cried Maximilian as the orbs floated around them, one particularly to his direction and was only a few inches from him, and the next moment, they vanished, as if they never existed.
"What was that?" asked Ken, rubbing his eyes.
"Are we dead?" asked Leon, trying to make out his surroundings.
"...fi...fi...fi"
As the group tried to process what had just happened, they heard a faint whispering sound coming from somewhere close by. They looked around, but there was no one in sight.
"Who's there?" demanded Blake, trying to locate the source of the whispering. As he looked around, he noticed another orb that began circling around the five teenagers. It did one lap, spinning around them until it landed and faded in the hand of a figure that emerged from the shadows. Through Blake's vision was dimmed by the darkness, it could be seen that standing before them, was someone dressed in white robes with red lines, having their face covered by a hood.
"...fi...fi...fi"
The figure uttered in a unrecognisable voice, going in circles around them.
"...fi...fi...fi"
The five students looked at each other in unease, unsure of what was happening. The figure in the robes continued to speak, this time their voice more coherent for them to understand.
"Five... Five hath been called."
"Five... Five with righteous hearts to protect the world hath arrived."
"Huh?" uttered Blake with the others having similar expressions on their faces.
The figure in white robes turned to face them, lowering his hood and revealing their face for the first time. Underneath, it was a beautiful young man in his 20's with asian features and long, flowing silver hair and piercing golden eyes with red mascara lines going around his pupils. At the top of his head, there were what would assumed to be silver fox ears with red tips and at his back a fox tail with similar red-tipped end. He smiled at them, revealing sharp teeth that seemed to glow in the dark.
"Welcome, chosen heroes," he said in a melodic voice, confusing the others present. "I hope you didn't encounter any troubles during your arrival."
"Who the heck are you?" asked Blake, taking a step up. The figure in white robes chuckled softly.
"I am known by many names, but my true identity is not important right now, youngsters," he said, his eyes glinting in the dark.
"Youngsters?" asked Blake, narrowing his eyes. His appearance, weird way of speaking and clothes can only bring one guess to his mind. "Awesome... We've been kidnapped by a crazy cosplayer." he said out loud.
"C-Cosplayer!?" the figure stuttered, losing his cool. "I am not one of those things! I am the honmono deal!"
"Japanese? Is this your first time when you abduct somebody?" snarled Blake as 'Mickey' stepped in seeing that the 'negotiation', if it can be called such a thing isn't going anywhere.
"Sir, I suggest that you stop from what you are doing and let me and my fellow schoolmates free. I am not questioning your pastime, but what you are doing can have serious consequences-"
Before he could finish, the robed man stomped his foot to the ground and looked at the five students. Once again, orbs of light manifested around the dark room as his eyes glimmer with anger. "I am not one to be trifled with, gakis!" he shouted, his voice low and dangerous. "I AM NOT a cosplayer, and you have-!"
"Stop it already! You're not scaring anyone anymore," said Blake calmly as the silver haired man glanced at him.
The figure in white robes paused for a moment, his eyes flickering between Blake and the other students. Then, with a deep sigh, he lowered his head. "Oh my Kami... Merlin never had to deal with this! Why am I suddenly the creepy-lame akutō for wanting to give the gakis a little fright?!" he complained, his tone dropping from serious and menacing to kind of comical. The teens looked at each other, unsure of what to make of the situation. Blake and Mickey seemed to be the only ones who were still keeping face.
"Have you calmed down? Now tell us where we are, because I'm sure we're not in the Academy anymore." demanded Blake.
The figure in white robes sighed and lowered his head, snapping his fingers as light filled the dark room.
"You're kidding..." uttered Blake, in stupefaction.
"T-This is.." Maximilian stuttered, as the light revealed that instead of a some kind of secret abandoned hideout or some kind of basement you use when you kidnap five teeneagers from a prestigious school, but instead of that, they are in what is definetly the inside of a coffee shop. An absolutely average coffee shop or cafe with nothing special about it. Simple white walls, wooden floor, a few wooden tables with chairs and a stall where you can receive the aforementioned.
"Welcome to the Fox Flare Cafe!" he said, his voice filled with excitement.
"But how did we get here?" asked Leon, looking around in disbelief and fascination.
"I see you still don't get it," said the figure in white robes, a smirk on his face. "You see, there's a simple explication to all of this. But instead of simple chatter, I'm going to show you. Now take a look." He said, pointing behind at the windows.
The five students turned to look at the windows. Outside it was shown a simple and empty street. Truly nothing of importance, but, the silver-haired man snapped his fingers once again, and their eyes widened in surprise. The scenery outside changed, and in the next second, they were gazing at what is definetly a mall.
"A mall with people dressed up like it's Halloween?" asked Blake seeing many looking like vampires, werewolves, zombies, sea creatures, and many others that looked straight out of a scary costume contest. Some of them looking quite realistic, while others looked like they barely tried, but as they kept watching, the five teens knew that as they gazed at the passerbyers and saw their inhuman features like skin, claws or fangs that looked too real to be fake, one looming question arouse in their mind.
The silver-haired man chuckled. "As you guessed, those are not costumes, and you are not in your school anymore, but in another world." He paused for a moment with a sharp smile.
Hearing those words, the students looked at each other with uncertainity and widen eyes.
'Mickey', not convinved, decided to break the silence. "Why are we here?" he asked, simply with no honorifics. A rare thing from him.
The silver-haired man smiled. "Ah, I see you've finally asking the main shitsumon and my answer is why not!" He chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. Seeing no reactions from the students, he sighed again. "What a tough crowd you are. Not one of you has seen an isekai anime?!" He gestured dramatically towards the group only to receive the same silence. Seeing no response, he scratched his hair, "Okay...no anime fans among you? That's just sad." Shaking his head, he decided to just press on, "Well, the reason I picked you all is because I feel, no, I know that you five have what it takes to save this world."
"Save? Do we look like some dumb fantasy story protagonists to you?!" Blake snapped, clearly pissed off.
"Why, yes you do!" the fox-eared man smiled back, making the group gape. He took off his robe, revealing a white tuxedo suit with a red tie, and took a seat to the nearest table, then gesturing for the others to take a seat. After a moment of hesistation, they slowly did the same.
"Does anyone want any tea or coffee?" he asked, once again receiving silence. He snapped his fingers and a small puff of smoke appeared, revealing a cup of green tea by his side. He took a sip and continued. "Back to the main subject, you five are now in a different sekai. A world where the beings you think are fantasy, horror, myth, or even urban legends, here they are as real as you. The most common name to call them is, you guessed it, Monsters!"
The group looked at each other, their eyes wide with shock and disbelief.
"B-But how... why?" asked Maximilian, his voice shaking with fear. The silver-haired man smiled at his question.
"I can go about how to predict unmei and taking a peek between alternate realities, but first let me assure that you aren't the only ones of your kind. Here, both humans and monsters live in the same world in a sort of relative peace, but staying as far aways from each other, down to even saying that this sekai is separated in two. No, scratch that, it is quite separated in various ways, of course with a few exceptions~" he said with a toothy smile while the others gave him strange looks. "Your current location is the town of New Salem, Oregon. One of the very few places in which both sides are connected, but also separated."
"The town is split in half. A human side and a monster side," answered Ken with wide eyes.
"Bravo!" exclaimed the fox-eared man, taking another sip of tea. "And as you saw on the windows earlier, my shop is a special place which can exist between both sides, no problem. One in a quiet and peaceful street with humans and the other, in the place most frequented by teenage monsters, the Maul!"
"Maul?" Blake raised an eyebrow.
The silver-haired man nodded. "Ikanimo. To further separate themselves from humans, Monsters have their own names and slang for things, be it either places, food, and even day-to-day words. Maul is just one of the many monsterfied words you'll hear on this side."
"It is all very fascinating, sir, but why are we here for again?" asked 'Mickey', receiving a small chuckle.
"Because, my friends, you have the power to protect this world from a looming threat tha-"
"Forget it," said Blake, rising from his seat. "I'm out."
"Nani?!"
"What are you saying, Blake?" asked Ken, looking worried.
"I'm just doing the same thing I should've done back in the library. I'm leaving, isn't obvious?" he simply replied, going to the door "I don't care if this is truly another world or hell," he opened the door, "but the residents here can take care of their own problems. Don't imply me in them!" then got out before anyone could say anything.
(*)
After refusing to hear any more of magic, destiny, and other nonsense, Blake leaved the coffee shop. Of course, the moment he got out, many 'monsters' that saw him, gave him looks ranging from frightened, shocked, and even hateful as he passed by trying to keep their distance. He didn't really care, and lowered his hood, hiding his face.
After that, it's been one hour of aimless wandering, and as crazy as it all seems, Blake is truly in another world. Everything in this mall, or rather maul has that spooky monster theme, and outside, be it the streets, the houses, and even the sky itself is just the same. If he still had any doubts that he was in another world populated by monsters, and not just in a town that really loved Halloween and wanted to celebrate it again, then it's all true.
As he walked through one empty suburban street with the same spooky schtick, he couldn't help but wonder what he should do now. The sketchy fox guy that brought them here said something about a 'looming threat' and he and the others are meant to protect this world from it. It sounds all stupid, like some fantasy that a ten year old would enjoy over a regular, boring day anytime, but unfortunately he doesn't believe in such fairytales! He's fifteen for crying out loud!
Now that he's all alone in a world... or into a side of the world with no other humans around and with only his thoughts, what was he supposed to do? Most likely, to find a way that could help him escape from this world and go back to his own? For now, he still hasn't figured out what to do, but he'll get to that bridge when the time comes...
He doesn't have his earphones, but maybe he should listen to some music while wondering what to do? It could help him take his mind off those things.
"And of course I can't get any sort of signal in here," Blake sighed, slightly dissapointed, and of course being distracted with the phone and not seeing where he's going as he bumped into someone and they both fell over. Annoyed, his eyes fell upon a girl with ears like those of a wolf over her head who seemed his age, with chocolate skin and fur mixed and wavy hair and clothes that give her a trendy and rebellious look.
"Ugh! Watch where you..." the girl uttered in a Brooklyn-like accent as her golden eyes fixed upon Blake. Her eyes grew twice in size, looking at him with wariness, clearly seeing that he doesn't have any fangs, or claws, and most importantly... by his smell. She could obviously tell that he was human.
Standing up in a flash, she asked in a demanding voice, showing her white sharp fangs to intimidate him. "Who are you?
Blake stood up, dusting off his clothes and straightening his hood. "Blake," he uncaringly replied.
The girl narrowed her eyes, studying him for a moment before speaking again. "And what are you doing here?" she demanded again.
"What were you doing. Walking," he replied.
The girl rolled her eyes, clearly not believing him. "This isn't a playground for normies," she said sternly. "You should leave."
Blake raised an eyebrow. "Normies?"
"You heard me!" she scoffed, crossing her arms. "Return to your side."
"I would if I know where it was," Blake shot back, before the wolf-eared girl's glare widened in stupefaction, then contorted into rage.
"Your games aren't funny. Return where you came, or else!"
"Or else?" he asked annoyed, taking a step up. As he did, he saw a small stacks of papers lying on the ground. He picked it up, seeing they are drawing of clothes. They were intricate and detailed. Each one depicting different styles and fashion trends ranging from many types, be it simple, classic, or modern with monsters of different kinds as models.
"Those are yours?" asked Blake.
The girl eyes wideneded, her pupils on to Blake, then to the papers, then back to Blake.
"Give them back!" she seethed. "If you don-!"
Before she could finish her sentence, Blake had already handed her the papers. "Here. They're quite awesome." he said, turning around and walking away from the gaping wolf girl.
As he walked away, he could feel her eyes on his back, watching him go. Just like she said, he knew he had to leave, most likely to go into the other side of the town where there are humans. It seems wondering around gave him one hint about what to do next in this world, so maybe he should start looking where to find this other side now.
(*)
New Salem – Border
It took a bit... alright, it took a lot of wondering around the streets. Streets with names that are spooky puns on normal words, mind you, but, Blake has finally arrived at what is definetly the border of this town between it's inhabitants.
On one side, he saw a sign that read 'No Monsters Allowed!', but that's all. No one was present to check if he's truly a human and not a monster in disguise, or even some sort of gate with a guard or even a spiked fence to keep others from wandering between. As for the literal border, well... it truly lived up to it's name. On the other side, there were simple normal suburban houses with no bats or shivered old trees with a blue sunny sky that seemed to repel the clouds to the neighboring side. A true contrast from the monster border in many ways.
"It seems that all I need to do is walk a few steps and that's that, huh?" Blake thought out loud. He expected something else from the dividing line between two entire species with a rocky relationship if he's to believe the fox guy words and his meeting with the wolf girl. Well, other than being abducted into another world, at least something turns out well in this day. But first...
"You aren't that good at hiding, you know?" he said, turning around to face the wolf-eared girl bewildered stare as she stepped out from behind a tree.
"How did you know where I was?!" she asked outraged as Blake silently pointed at her feet, to be more specific at her footwear.
"I didn't, but the sound of your heels gave you away quite easy," Blake explained as the girl's eyes widened in surprise at his words, clearly not expecting a human to be able to detect her movements. Was that why he seemed to wander aimlessly since their meeting? He knew he was tracked and wanted to confuse her?
But while she was stuck deep in her thought about her next move, both of them failed to see that the shadow casted by the shriveled tree began to glow a dim-green as a clawed hand slowly extended from it.
"If there's something more you want to tell me, then this is probably going to be your one and only chance," he sighed, hearing no answer. "It's not like I care anyway."
The wolf girl hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "Fine!" she said, taking a deep breath. "Did you mean what you said before?" she asked as Blake raised an eyebrow.
"About those papers?" he asked, curious as she nodded.
"Well, duh!"
"Why?" he asked.
"Because I want to know!" she shouted. "If I'm going to be one day a great fashion ghoul, then I need all opinions, even that of an annoying normie like you!"
"Again with the normie, huh?" Blake mentally rolled his eyes. The first time he didn't get it, but now it makes sense. This is what the monster's side residents call humans. Fitting and insulting at the same time.
"Fine," he sighed. "They look cool and have more creativity than the average 'new fashion' I see back where I come from."
The wolf-eared girl's face lit up with a smile. "Really? You think so?"
"Yeah," Blake replied honestly. "You seem to have a talent."
"Are you saying that just to make me go away?" she asked, her eyes narrowing suspiciously.
"I'm the one about to go away, so why should I be lying?" he asked with a sigh. The wolf-eared girl's eyes widened in surprise at Blake's response, unsure of how to react.
"I-I see thanks," she said softly, at a loss of words. While she still had doubts about the words of a human in general, she could somehow tell that in spite of sounding mean, he is honest. A human truly likes her designs.
ROAR!*
This moment was stopped short when both teens jumped in surprise, hearing the sound of a beastly roar and turning to gaze in stupefaction at the glowing green shade of a tree. Both gasping as a fish-like monster with glassy eyes, clad in pale gray cracked armor emerges.
"Friend of yours?" asked Blake with hesistation in his voice. Unlike the wolf girl or others of her kind that he'd seen and looked more humanoid and civilised... this... whatever it was supposed to be looked like a true blood-thirsty staight out of a horror movie monster compared to the rest. And like it's description, the beast immediatly spots the two bewildered teens, it's glassy eyes turned towards Blake and wildly rushes at him.
"What the-?!" Blake exclaimed.
THUD!*
By a miracle, he barely dodged the monster's charge as it clumsily stumbled and fell down. He didn't know what is that thing, but seems it has a beef with him. It was down, and it will soon get up, so that leaves only one thing to do.
"Hey fish-face!" shouted Blake, getting the downed monster's attention. "Yes, you! The ugly fish!"
"What are you doing?!" shouted the wolf girl totally lost.
"Distracting it!" he replied and it's working alright. The creature snarled and got back up, growling at Blake. It was clear that it wasn't going to take any more of his insults. Now the next step is...
"Try and catch me!" he shouted, making a run to the border and to the human side getting smaller in the view. The monster of course got up and followed after him, as both disappeared from the gasping wolf girl.
As Blake disappears into the human part, the wolf girl is left standing alone, her mind racing with thoughts of what just happened.
Was this something to do with Blake being a human? She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. Even if she wanted to help, there was nothing she could do now that Blake is in the human side. Then again, she has never seen a monster like that before, plus one that had such a fierce reaction to a human. And as stupid as is, she can't shake the feeling of worry for the human who suddenly found himself being chased by such a monster.
"Oh dang it! I'm going to be in so much problems for this!" she shouted, running as fast as she could right into the normies side.
(*)
Meanwhile, on the human side, Blake was sprinting through the streets, the fish-like thing hot on his heels. The creature charges after Blake, its pale gray armor and chains clanking with each step. While Blake runs as fast as he can, it was clear that the creature was faster and it will catch up with him soon.
'Shit! Isn't there something like a police force or monster control department in this side?!' he mentally shouted, his heart pounding like mad as the creature is getting closer and closer. "Just how bad things can get?!"
As if responding to his words, the beast roared again, and the next moment, there was silence.
...He looked back and didn't see it, but the looming shadow bellow him made him turn his head up. His eyes widened seeing that instead of the creature giving up, it traded it's legs and lower side for a fish tail with a pair of long fins as it's somehow swimming in the air around him.
"Me and my damn luck!" Blake cursed as the monster begins descending down for a diving attack to chomp him.
'What do I do now...' he thought, looking frantically, until Blake spots a narrow alleyway up ahead and decides to make an even desperate gamble. He pumps his legs harder, his lungs burning, and bursts into the alley.
"Y-You've gotta be-!" Blake could only curse between huffs, as much to his own impending doom, the alley was a dead end. He glances around the alley, his heart racing and legs beyond tired, but still there's nowhere to run as the monster is almost upon him.
This can't be it...
CAW!*
CAW!*
Just when it all seemed hopeless for Blake, he couldn't help but looking up. There, he saw numerous crows taking flight from a nearby rooftop, their black forms contrasting the sunny side as they fly in a horde at the fish-like monster and latch or peek at it, slowing it down.
Blake could only gape at the sight before one of the crows makes it's way to him. What was even stranger, that one carries a black metallic briefcase larger than itself in it's talons. Once close enough, the bird drops it at Blake's feet.
"Use it, gaki!" came a voice from the crow's beak.
"You!" shouted Blake in recognition. That voice belong to the fox guy!
"There's no time to lose! Open the case!" shouted the crow, almost pleading. With hesistation, Blake reached down and opened the briefcase. Inside was a a cuff bracelet with a round crimson gem, a silver metal belt with an empty black space and red bars around the edge, coupled with an old style silver cellphone with a yellow emblem of some sort together with an ordinary camera and a flashlight.
"You're kidding..." he uttered incredulously. "I don't think that thing wants a photo session!"
"It's not a joke! Just put on the bracelet and belt, then enter the henshin code on the phone! Tanomu! There's not much time!" shouted the crow. Both seeing that the monster is still preoccupied with the black birds, but some of them began to scramble and fly in other parts.
"I don't have anything more to lose anyway," Blake said, giving in. He easily slid the bangle on his left hand and quickly put on the belt around his waist while holding the cellphone in his right hand. He opened it, seeing it light up in bright red and displaying small silver images with digit codes next to them. None of them said something about a 'henshin' code... Unsure, Blake just picked the first one that looked like the cellphone emblem.
(5-5-5)
Next, he pressed the ENTER button.
[Standing By!]
The phone announced in a robotic male voice as it began beeping.
Before Blake could question why the device did that, another roar from the fish-beast diverted his attention. The creature itself began glowing in pale-green light, before it fell on the ground, ressuming it's original humanoid form, but this time armed with a trident on it's right hand. The remaining crows flyed away from the area, leaving only their falling black feathers as proof.
"Now close the phone and place it in the belt empty space!" the crow shouted, returning Blake to his senses. "Oh, and don't forget to strike a pose and say 'Henshin!' before doing so!"
"What?!-" shouted Blake with a disbelieving look.
ROAR!!!!!*
"Damn it all!" he shouted, raising the phone in the air as the fish creature charges again.
"Henshin!" then connected the phone on the blank space, sliding it.
[Complete!]
As Blake slammed the phone into the belt, a surge of energy pulses through the red bars, the charge sending a powerful shockwave towards the monster and stopping it's attack, then releasing laser-like projections around Blake's body. With a final glow, the teen was now clad into a sleek black bodysuit with silver armor and braces with red lines traversing through his suit. All complete with a helmet that has a yellow round visor separated by a silver line ending in a pair of short antenas.
"Wha-!" wondered the armored teen, checking his form, but the the creature resumed it's wild charge. "Get lost!" Blake shouted, having enough. He punched the creature in the face with all his strength. The punch connected and somehow the beast was sent several feet away like a thrown ragdoll.
"How did..." where the only words he was able to muster, feeling a surge of power and confidence coursing through his veins – it all seems so surreal.
"Sugoi!" shouted the raven approaching the armored teen, its eyes shining with excitement. "You did it, gaki! You've become a Rider!" it exclaims.
"What did you do?!" shouted Blake, pointing to... well himself.
"Oh, nevermind that!" the bird sighed, turning to where he sent the beast. "You must destroy that Orphenoch first!"
"Orphenoch?" uttered Blake.
"The fish creature! It's a heartless killing machine that won't stop until you're, well you know..." the bird responded.
The armored teen, looks at the creature, the Orphenoch? It was sent far, but he could clearly see it slowly getting back up and its glassy eyes are still fixed on him. No matter what he can say, the fox, or rather crow is right; he can't let this thing continue its mindless rampage, especially if he's the victim!
"Fine then!" roared the armored teen. With a burst of speed, he charges towards the so-called Orphenoch, which is still trying to get back on its feet. Blake saw that and prepared to strike it with a kick to it's face, but the creature didn't intend to let him. It quickly throwed it's spear at him, hitting him in the chest armor.
"You son of a-" cried Blake, but paused, seeing that other than sending him backpedaling, the strike didn't damage the armor or even leaved a visible dent, although he still felt a bit the impact.
With a hidden smile and determined look, Blake charges forward once again, closing the distance between him and the Orphenoch. He aims a powerful punch towards the creature's face, but it swiftly raises its hands as they glow and another trident manifests to block the attack.
"You piss me off!" shouted Blake, as the Orphenoch rose back to it's feet and began charging with it's spear. Blake didn't have enough time to react as the beast keeps assaulting him with wild, raging strikes from the trident.
(*)
Well, I think I can safely say that now, if you payed attention, you understood the ibento's that happened and lead to this fight to shida between our involuntary eiyuu and the Orphenoch, plus his first official interaction with a resident from the monster side. A kawaii and kakkuii okami girl even!
Oh, and of course, my big reveal!
Sorry conspiracy theorists~!
Anyway~ If you understood or not, let's return to the scene I know you're all waiting for!
(*)
Present
"If you think that-!"
ROAR!*
"Oh, ghoul..." she gulped.
CAW!*
CAW!
Just as the Orphenoch raised it's spear, once again a flock of crows formed and descended upon the creature and latched at it.
CAW!*
CAW!*
"H-Hey! G-Get off, stupid birds!" but a part of them also began to surround the wolf girl by blocking her vision.
Meanwhile, the crows' caws fill the air as they attack the Orphenoch. The creature growled, swinging its spear wildly, trying to fend off the relentless birds with little succes. This brief moments of respite gives Blake a chance to push himself up and catch his breath. Thankfully the helmet is as tough as the armor, although that earlier hit definetly dizzied him.
"Enough. Let's end this," he said, crouching down, then rushing at super speed at the distracted beast. The crows imediatly flew off before the attack hit, letting Blake land a fierce side-kick in it's chest.
The Orphenoch, caught off guard by the sudden attack, stumbles backwards, its spear falling to the ground. It lets out a guttural growl, clearly wounded by the powerful kick as blue flames began bursting from it's body, and starts to crumble into ashes.
"When I thought I can't be surprised anymore..." Blake uttered, eyes wide at what he did. His kick turned the fish creature into dust? And this is probably the least weird thing today...
"Not that bad on your first fight, gaki," said the crow, landing on Blake shoulder. "Now I think it's time for some explications, but let's change locations first..."
"What about-!"
CAW!*
Soon, the other crows that had been latching at the wolf girl flyed off, then began to surround the armored teen. Unlike the creature, they keep their distance flying in a tornado-like shape as pink lights envelop Blake and soon fading away with him. That only leaved the wolf girl gaping as the other crows flyed off to parts unknown.
"What... was that?" she uttered in a whisper, trying to make sense of what just happened.
(*)
The world around Blake shifts and swirls. He feels a strange sensation like he's being stretched and compressed at the same time. When it stops, he find himself back in the coffee shop. The first thing he notices is that the silver-haired man is sitting peacefully at the very same table from before with the others that had gaping expressions glued on their faces. The crow soon flyes from his shoulder and lands on the fox-eared man own, soon receiving a headpat from it's master.
"SO AWESOME!!!" shouted Leon, rising from the table and inspecting Blake armed form like a curious child. An annoying curious child from Blake's opinion. "I'm so jealous man!" he shouted turning back to the fox man. "When it's my turn to fight a crazy armed fish?"
"You saw me fighting that thing?" asked Blake.
"The fox dude has an awesome phone shaped like a coffin! A freakin coffin! And we watched you getting chased by that thing! Then you transformed like a superhero and kicked it's butt! Then the fish thing kicked your butt in revenge! But then the girl with wolf ears got in the fight! Then you took the hit meant for her like a knight in shining armor, dude!!! Soooo awesome!!!!!!" answered Leon very enthusiastic and loud, very loud.
"So you spied on me," uttered Blake. If he understood right, the others stayed in here while his moves were watched from afar. Obviously that bird is responsible somehow.
The silver-haired man chuckles. "Let's not get carried with the small details, hehe..." he responded, obviously trying to change the subject. Then he gestured to Blake, "Oh, silly me! You can't stay like this! Cancel the henshin by pressing call end."
The teen didn't argue this time, and took out the phone, opened it, and pressed the end call button. The suit red lines glow once as the armor dissolves and the red projections return back in the belt. He then removed the item from his waist and presented it at the table.
"Start explaining," Blake said, taking a seat along with Leon returning to his own.
The silver-haired man smiles, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Of course, of course. But first, allow me to introduce myself properly. I'm someone who had and has quite a lot of namae's through time, but I'm more commonly known by humans and monsters alike as Seimei, kay?~ Being called fox man or fox dude can only get you so far."
The fox man, now-named Seimei takes a sip of his tea before continuing. "Now, where to begin? I suppose I should start by saying again that I summoned you five in order to protect this world from beings like the one your fellow classmate fought earlier."
"This still doesn't answer anything!" shouted Blake. "What was that thing!?"
"You need to be more respectful towards someone, Blake Wolfson," said 'Mickey' from his seat.
"That 'someone' you're telling me to respect literally abducted us into another world!" Blake shot back.
"I don't deny this fact, but-"
Seimei soon raised his hands as a gesture to stop the two teens. "Easy, easy. I understand your frustration, but I can't just blurt out everything at once. It's a delicate matter, and I need to tread it a step at a time."
"How so?" asked 'Mickey'.
"It's quite a silly story, you know..."
"Then start from the beginning," Blake demanded.
"You kids just have no patience, but okay," He leaned forward, his eyes locking onto the students as he snapped his fingers again. The lights have turned off again, and the table lighted up as a holografic image of an old deserted city manifested. The group gasped as they saw the virtual images of rumbling buildings and abandoned streets as if a great calamity of some sorts happened in there.
"Holograms! Awesome!" shouted Leon, as the fox-earred man chuckled again.
"Ikanimo! I'm not just good with magic and illusions, but I'm also up to date with technology ahead of today," he then gestures to the crow on his shoulder as it's eyes began glowing a pale blue and cawed unnaturally... almost machine-like.
"A robot crow?" That answered Blake theory. The bird was a machine disguised to look like a simple crow and spied him from afar.
"Now, please take a closer look at the city. This is the threat you five were called for," With another snap, the image focalised, now showing crumbled streets. Unlike the city aspect of being left and abandoned, the very streets were filled with strange and hideous creatures like the one Blake fought. Each one looked as lifeless as the other, somewhat resembling animals or plants with cracks around their bodies, mindlessly walking like zombies, as if searching for something. All five gasped upon such a sight.
"You're kidding..." Blake uttered, turning paler.
"These are the creatures that you must stop," explained Seimei. "A few weeks ago, I intercepted from my cozy home in Japan, a strange and unusual signal. One that isn't native to this world."
"N-Not native?" gulped Maximilian.
"You mean they aren't from this world?" asked Ken. "They are like us?"
"Never really thought about that, but in a way, yes. They are from a different world unlike this or yours, and are most likely the reason why their own sekai ended up like this in the first place, although I don't have any proof," he responded, before continuing. "Anyway, I was then able to pinpoint the signal and found my way here in the city of New Salem. Thankfully when I arrived, I was able to delay the very first signs of these ikimono that fall neither into monster or human category, the Orphenoch."
"Delay?" asked Blake.
"Ikanimo. It was by mere coincidence when I encountered one of them crossing into my path, just like you, young Blake," he pointed to the aforementioned. "Unfortunately, all attemps of communication proved useless, and in my defense, I know very many and very ancient languages lost to time. Soon, it reacted like the Orphenoch you fought earlier, gaki, and I had no choice but to send it where it came from." Seimei takes a deep breath before continuing. "Ever since that day, I've been keeping a close eye on this city and the occasional Orphenoch that crossed over, trying in vain to understand their violent nature and using all my powers in order to send them back without alerting either side of their existence. But I can't do it alone anymore, and more than once, I almost endangered those who happened to merely pass by and got into those creature's sights."
Seimei pauses, allowing the weight of his words to sink in. The room is silent as the group takes in the holographic image of the deserted city and the strange creatures that inhabit it.
"But why us?" Blake finally asks. "We are not even from this world."
"I know that, and this is why when you touched the book, I knew you five are what I needed," Seimei explains. "Outsiders that won't further endanger the balance between between humans and monsters."
"That doesn't make any sense," Blake replied back.
"It actually does," 'Mickey' cut him off. "If we take Mr. Seimei words for truth and your interaction as evidence, then that means humanity and monsterkind are walking a thin line. And if for example, one of the creatures, namely Orphenoch, crosses over and goes into a rampage near a human-populated area, then their mere appearance alone could make many mistakenly belive they and monsterkind are one and the same."
Seimei nods in agreement with 'Mickey's' explanation. "Precisely. Your presence as outsiders could help prevent such a misunderstanding and the potential strife that could follow. And that is why I have brought you here," he gestures to them. "I know what I'm asking for you isn't normal, even by this sekai standards, but it seems the best way at the moment."
"At the moment?" asked Ken.
Seimei looks at Ken, his expression serious "Yes, at the moment. I had hoped to find a more permanent solution to this mondai, but my efforts have so far been in vain. For now, containing and fighting the emerging Orphenoch while preventing them from causing further harm is the best course of action."
"And if we were to chose and stay, what about the Academy?" asked ‚'Mickey'. "This undertaking will definetly not solve itself in a simple matter of days, and the rest of the higher ups in the Academy, and our family members will inquire about our sudden disappearence."
"I know and I'm quite prepared for such a jōkyō at hand," Seimei replied proudly. "I will simply use my natural and supernatural foxy charm to weave you all a cover story about going into a special student transfer program in order to compare the education from a prestigious school to a regular one... or something like that. I'll come up with the rest later." he shrugged, taking another sip of tea as he snapped his fingers.
The hologram flickers off, leaving the room lightened once again. Seimei then rises from his seat, facing the young students. "I'm far from explaining the whole thing, gakis, but if any of you refuse, then I won't push the issue anymore and I will simply return you back to your home world. Say the words and that's all."
The students all exchange glances, taking in the weight of this request. Even with the basic idea down, they were still taken from their own school and bringed in a parallel world very different from their own. All because the one responsible needs help fighting creatures from another another world that seem to only crave violence and destruction...
The tension in the room is palpable as all consider Seimei's request. They each glance at the other, all lost in their own thoughts.
"I understand what you're asking of us, and I'm willing to help," Ken speaks up, breaking the silence.
"Are you crazy?!" Blake cried. "I fought just one of those things and even with that armor I still struggled! I was lucky I'm still in one piece!"
"I know!" Ken shouted back. "But I refuse to let them hurt innocent people!" He then takes a step forward, facing the others. "This isn't our home, but I refuse to do nothing about it. I will remain and fight!"
"I shall also remain," 'Mickey' declared as all widened their eyes, never expecting such an answer coming from him. "Whether this is our world or not, I refuse to let these vile beings bring plight upon humanity."
"Then count me in too!" Leon declared, going over to Ken's side, giving him a fistbump. "I can't lose all this crazy action and adventure, plus my best buddy, so the answer is obvious!"
"I-I don-" Maximilian stammers, looking nervously between them. "I-I mean, I want to help too!" he says, stepping forward to join the group.
Now the only one left is Blake. In his mind was only one thing. 'Are they crazy?! They will sooner or later get hurt or even worse! Are they that stupid to risk their lives for some complete strangers, some who aren't even human to begin with?!' He couldn't undertand it at all. This isn't even their own damn world! It's a place that don't want anything with outsiders crossing into their side and yet, they all seemed so determined to help... Blake couldn't understand it. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he was about to say.
"Fine," he muttered, going over to the group, his arms crossed. "I'll stay and help too. But I'm only doing this until we find a way to stop those Orphenoch things from ever coming again, then it's goodbye."
Seimei nods solemnly, acknowledging their decisions. He looks at each of them in turn, his expression filled with gratitude. "Arigato. I will do my best to ensure your safety and return you to your home once this crisis has passed." he says with a thin smile. "I guess I'll soon have to teach you about this world and it's inhibitant, plus what I scrapped from the Orphenoch, as well as how to defend yourselves against them in future tatakai's."
"It already sound like a major pain already," Blake deadpanned, receiving a sly smile from Seimei.
"True~ But we can wait tomorrow for all of that," He then snapped his fingers as a puff of smoke on the table reveals a whipped cream cake with orange slices on top and five plates. "For now, let's have a small celebration!"
"I want the first slice!" Leon declared, already taking a plate and soon as the others began doing the same.
(*)
And so, this selfless act of the five teens marked the hajimari of an adventure unlike anything they would ever think! They are still young and unprepared, but I know they will grow into great eiyuu's that will protect the worlds of human and monster alike. For now, they need to be reminded that they are still gakis that need to enjoy their lives, and then maybe I'll have more time to tell them they still need to go to an actual school... If they didn't hate me already, they are going to be tomorrow...
To Be Continued...
A/N: With that I made my first chapter of a story involving Kamen Riders. And now for a bit of answers to the big question... Why?
It's actually simple in that one day I found Ten-Faced Paladin's story and instantly I became a fan of crossovers between Kamen Riders (although I was already a Kamen Rider fan for quite some years). I first read the rewrite and then the original, and while I obviously saw that both versions weren't without their flaws, I still loved reading them. This story is a new one in many types from me, especially in lenght type, but I hope it turned out okay. Can't really say when I'll post the next chapter, so stay tuned.
P.S: I know the kaijin of Faiz are named Orphnoch in the show and thanks to some mistranslations through time as the series gained popularity world-wide, we ended up with the other name, Orphenoch. I've chosen the latter because I think it sound cool and rolls on the tongue better than the original.
EDIT: I wanted to make bars or lines between time, places and perception, but it seems I have an error on my part that doesn't let me even move my small emoji. I hope it'll be fixed soon.