[ Mantle Streets – Grimm Assault]
The Manticores Grimm screeched through the sky, their fiery breath scattering debris and flames across the streets of Mantle.
Ruby, Nora, Ren, and Marrow fought valiantly, their teamwork keeping the Grimm at bay.
Akira leapt into action, his Japanese Wolf Armor gleaming in the chaos. He sliced cleanly through the nearest Manticore, the sharpness of the blade cutting through its hide like paper.
Akira: "You keep them grounded, Little Red. I'll handle the rest in the air."
Before Ruby could respond, Akira sprang into the sky with the agility granted by the Japanese Wolf Zetsumerisekey.
His kicks and slashes tore through the Manticores, his cold precision and the blinding light of his energy leaving a path of destruction in his wake.
The battlefield seemed to shift in their favor.
Suddenly, a deafening boom rang out, echoing through the streets as a powerful energy shot obliterated the remaining Manticores in one strike.
Everyone froze, the tension thick as they turned to see the source of the attack.
A figure emerged from the shadows of a nearby rooftop.
Clad in armor resembling Akira's yet distinctly different, this new individual stood confidently, his NeoDecadriver flashing magenta.
He dropped to the ground effortlessly, his presence demanding attention.
Tsukasa: "Looks like you all needed some help. Tsk, and here I thought this would be interesting."
Akira stiffened, his eyes narrowing behind his visor. The familiarity of the armor—the NeoDecadriver, the posture—sent a chill down his spine.
Akira (to himself): "Who... No, what is he? Why does he have a belt like mine?"
Marrow stepped forward, weapon at the ready, his tail flicking nervously.
Marrow: "Alright, you! State your name and intentions before I make you regret that dramatic entrance."
The stranger chuckled, dismissive yet not hostile. His voice carried an odd mix of humor and authority.
Tsukasa: "Just a passing-through Kamen Rider. Remember that."
Ruby tilted her head in confusion, her scythe still at the ready.
Ruby: "Kamen... Rider? That's same thing Akira said when we first meet him...?"
Tsukasa ignored her question, his attention solely on Akira.
He pointed toward him, with seriousness.
Tsukasa: "I'm not here for you three but this world's Rider—" he gestured to Akira "—is my business. Step aside before you get caught in something you can't handle."
Akira clenched his fists, his unease bubbling into Malice. The Forceriser on his waist pulsed as if responding to his wrath.
Akira: "Who the hell do you think you are, You don't know me or this world. Stay out of it."
Tsukasa chuckles again as he pulled a card from his Ride Booker.
Tsukasa: "Oh, I know more than you think. But let's not waste time with words. Let me show you."
With a flick of his wrist, Tsukasa inserted the card into the NeoDecadriver, his confident tone echoing through the battlefield.
NeoDecadriver: "[ Form Ride: ZeroZero-One ! ]"
A blinding flash of magenta light engulfed Tsukasa, his armor shifting and morphing until he stood as a mirror image of Akira's Rising Hopper form.
Akira gritted his teeth, gripping the Force Executor of his Forceriser and ejecting the Japanese Wolf Zetsumerisekey.
Akira: "Fine. You want to pick a fight? I'll oblige."
He swapped the key for his Rising Hopper Progrisekey, activating it with a sharp press.
Rising Hopper Progrisekey: [ Jump ! ]
Forceriser: "[Forcerise! Rising Hopper! Breakdown! ]"
Energy erupted around Akira as he transformed once again, his armor glinting under sky.
With the now materialize Attache Calibur extended into its Blade Mode, crackling with energy.
The two Riders stood silently for a moment, the tension palpable as their others watched from the sidelines.
Tsukasa (smirking): "A grasshopper battle. How fitting."
Akira said nothing, rushing forward with a burst of speed. Tsukasa met him halfway, his Ride Booker snapping into Sword Mode.
The clash of blades sent shockwaves through the air as the two exchanged furious strikes.
Akira's movements were precise and calculated, his Malice pushing him to his limits.
Tsukasa countered with casual grace, his experience evident in the way he anticipated each attack.
Nora (watching nervously): "Should we... you know, stop them?"
Ren (shaking his head): "No. This is something Akira needs to handle. Besides, that other guy—he's not aiming to kill. This is a test."
The fight raged on, each Rider landing blows that the other narrowly dodged or deflected.
Akira leapt into the air, aiming a powerful kick at Tsukasa, but the magenta Rider sidestepped, using his Ride Booker's blade to redirect the attack.
Tsukasa: "Not bad. But you're holding back. What's wrong? Doubting yourself already?"
Akira growled, forcing himself back into the fight. His Attache Calibur glowed as he prepared a charged slash.
Akira: "Holding Back ? Then maybe you the are holding back !"
The fight between Akira and Tsukasa intensified, their respective weapons clashing in a dazzling display of energy and skill.
Sparks flew with every impact, and the air crackled with the latent power of their transformations.
Tsukasa smirked, his voice cutting through the chaos.
Tsukasa: "You call this your limit? Pathetic. You're letting your emotions drive you into a corner. A Rider who can't control his Malice is just a puppet of his own darkness."
Akira's eyes burned behind his visor, his grip on the Attache Calibur tightening. The taunts stoked the flames of his Malice further, the Forceriser pulsating violently on his waist.
Akira: "You talk too much for someone who doesn't belong here! Maybe I'll silence you myself!"
Akira rushed forward, his movements sharper and more erratic, his anger fueling his strikes.
Tsukasa countered effortlessly, his experience evident in the way he parried each blow, almost as if he was playing with Akira.
The sound of steel meeting steel echoed across the battlefield, and the onlookers could only watch in growing unease.
After another intense exchange, both Riders pushed each other back. They stood a few feet apart, the dust settling around them.
Akira: "If you think I'm done, think again. Let's spice it up!"
With a fierce pull on the Forceriser's Force Executor, Akira activated his finisher.
Forceriser: [ Rising Dystopia! ]
A surge of crimson and black energy engulfed Akira, his movements now amplified by the painful shocks coursing through his body.
He gritted his teeth against the pain, his Malice sharpening his resolve.
Tsukasa, unfazed, reached into his Ride Booker and pulled another card. Sliding it into the NeoDecadriver, he smirked as the belt announced its activation.
NeoDecadriver: [ Attack Ride: Rising Dystopia ! ]
The battlefield erupted with energy as both Riders powered up in unison.
Without hesitation, they dashed toward each other, leaving streaks of their respective auras behind.
Their close-quarters combat was brutal, each strike carrying the weight of their resolve. Akira's attacks were raw and feral, while Tsukasa's movements were measured and precise.
After exchanging a series of bone-jarring blows, both Riders jumped back simultaneously, landing a few meters apart.
Breathing heavily, they seemed to have the same idea.
Akira pushed and pulled the Force Executor twice, preparing his finisher.
Forceriser: [ Rising Utopia ! ]
At the same time, Tsukasa slid another card into his NeoDecadriver, activating his own finisher.
NeoDecadriver: [ Final Attack Ride: Zero-Zero-Zero-One-One-One ! ]
The two Riders leapt into the air, their finishing kicks aimed directly at each other.
The clash of their attacks created a shockwave that rippled through the area, scattering debris and forcing onlookers to shield themselves.
When the dust cleared, Tsukasa landed on his feet, his armor still intact.
Akira, however, collapsed to the ground, his transformation deactivating as his injuries overwhelmed him.
Blood seeped from his reopened shoulder wound, and a leg injury left him unable to rise.
Tsukasa walked over, his expression stern. He looked down at Akira, his voice cold yet laced with a faint hint of compassion.
Tsukasa: "I tell you this, I'm here to decide whether this world deserves to survive. If you keep letting your Malice consume you, the answer will be obvious. You'll destroy yourself before anyone else gets the chance."
Akira glared up at him, his breathing ragged but defiant.
Akira: "I... don't need your judgment... or your pity."
Tsukasa chuckled lightly, kneeling down to place something beside Akira. It gleamed faintly in the dim light—the Zero-One Driver.
Tsukasa: "Consider this a sign of good faith. But don't think for a second that I'm letting my guard down. I'll be watching. If you falter again... I won't hesitate."
With those final words, Tsukasa stepped back, activating an Aurora Curtain.
As the swirling light engulfed him, he cast one last glance at Akira.
Tsukasa: "Remember this, I'm just a passing-through Kamen Rider. Don't make me stop to destroy you."
In a flash, Tsukasa vanished, leaving Akira alone on the streets, the Zero-One Driver lying beside him.
Amethyst ( Holding the Driver ): Damm you like shit and hear in thought Onyx was the one that would die first
Akira looked at the Zero-One Driver, his reflection staring back at him in its sleek, futuristic design.
Akira: "...That man... he's not just a Rider. He's a challenge I can't ignore."
As his grip tightened on the new belt, a faint determination flickered in his eyes.
[ MetsubouJinrai Hideout ]
Amethyst supported Akira as they entered the dimly lit hideout, her synthetic frame easily bearing the weight of his injured body.
The metallic walls hummed faintly with the sound of machinery. At the center of the room stood Onyx and Adam, flanking Winter Schnee, who was restrained in a chair.
Onyx's lion-like tail swayed impatiently as he regarded Akira with a frown.
Onyx: "What the hell happened to you? You look like you went ten rounds with a tank and lost."
Adam leaned against the wall, his mismatched eyes narrowing as he studied Akira's condition.
Adam: "More importantly you're lucky you weren't brought back in pieces."
Amethyst guided Akira to a metallic chair, her movements precise and deliberate. She set him down and opened a first aid kit from the desk.
Amethyst: "Less talking, more fixing. Akira, you need to learn to use your Aura. It'd make situations like this a lot less messy."
Akira winced as Amethyst began treating his wounds, her synthetic hands working with mechanical efficiency.
Akira: "Aura's not my style. I get by without it just fine—most of the time."
Amethyst smirked, her crimson eyes flickering like digital readouts.
Amethyst: "Oh, sure. 'Just fine' looks great with blood all over your face. Admit it, you're reckless."
Akira glanced at the Zero-One Driver he had placed on the desk, the sleek device gleaming under the faint overhead light.
Akira: "Reckless or not, I got something out of it."
Onyx stepped closer,
Onyx: "Yeah? And what's that supposed to be? Some fancy Atlas tech or a new weapon ?
Before Akira could respond, Ark's voice echoed through the room, emanating from the overhead speakers. Its tone was cold and analytical.
Ark: "It's call the Zero-One Driver is a transformation device designed for high-efficiency combat.
However, its usage is restricted to individuals recognized as presidents of corporate entities.
This limitation renders it incompatible with our current framework."
Adam folded his arms, his mechanical enhancements glinting in the light.
Adam: "So, it's useless to us ?"
Ark continued, undeterred.
Ark: "Not entirely. The combat data extracted during Akira's battle provides valuable insights. I will use this data to create an upgraded interface compatible with our unique needs."
Amethyst raised an eyebrow, pausing her work.
Amethyst: "An upgrade? You're not just tinkering with old junk now, are you?"
Ark: "The Sting Scorpion Progrisekey and the Zero-One Driver will serve as the foundation for a more adaptable system. I estimate an 87.6% increase in combat efficiency."
Akira grimaced as Amethyst applied a bandage to his leg.
Akira: "Great. Just make sure it's something I can actually use."
Ark's tone shifted slightly, indicating a command.
Ark: "Adam. Retrieve the Thousand Jacker and proceed with the extraction process. Winter Schnee possesses a hereditary Semblance—Glyphs—that will prove valuable."
Adam's smirk widened as he retrieved the weapon from its rack.
The Thousand Jacker gleamed ominously, its jagged edges exuding menace.
Onyx watched as Adam approached Winter.
Onyx: "Try not to break her. We still need her breathing, right?"
Adam activated the weapon, the activation announcement echoing.
Thousand Jacker: [ Thousand Jacker! ]
Winter struggled weakly against her restraints, her Aura flickering faintly.
Winter: "You... won't get away with this..."
Adam placed a Blank Progrisekey into the Thousand Jacker's slot.
Thousand Jacker: [ Progrisekey confirmed. Ready to break. ]
He aimed the weapon at Winter, its jagged tip emitting a low hum.
The device emitted a surge of energy, and Winter gasped as her Semblance was copied.
Her body went limp, and the restraints adjusted to hold her steady on the chair
Thousand Jacker: [ Jackrise ! ]
Adam pulled the trigger, completing the process. He retrieved the newly formed Progrisekey, its glowing surface marked with glyph-like patterns.
Adam approached the desk where Akira sat and placed the key beside the Zero-One Driver.
Adam: "Here. Freshly minted. You'd better make this count."
Amethyst glanced at the key, her expression unreadable.
Amethyst: "Seems like a lot of trouble for one Progrisekey. Better be worth it."
Akira picked up the key, studying it closely. His grip tightened as he glanced at the Zero-One Driver.
Akira: "It will be. Next time, no one's stopping me."
Ark's voice interjected.
Ark: "With the modifications underway, the next phase of our plan will proceed without fail. Prepare yourselves. Winter Schnee's contribution is only the beginning."
The room fell silent, the tension palpable as each member of MetsubouJinrai net contemplated their next move.
Author's Note:
Alright new chapter out hopefully a good read as all ways PMs are open and etc so Ask questions or suggestions till next chapter
Bishop