Chapter 8
Toxic Predator
Reviews:
Guest DCDGojira: Glad you liked it, friend. And we'll have to wait and see to figure that part out :p .
TheOkWriter: Pretty much half the group has PTSD in some way, shape, or form. Also, I love Ryuga too. He reminded me of Blackwargreymon when he showed up and thought he would have a similar role. But they really messed up the concept tremendously by not only excluding him from the main series but also not working with him at all. Sure, he's evil Shinji in the 13 Rider special and whatnot but he just shows up with no context or explanation. He says he wants to come to the real world but why only Shinji? Why don't we see a dark version of every rider? And also, I don't think Kanzaki even explained his existence or planned it. I know in some novels, they make it so that Shinji has a brother or something but it also doesn't make sense since they never foreshadowed or even hinted that Shinji had a sibling. I'll write Ryuga a little differently when he shows up but he'll still be the edgelord and evil counterpart many people wanted him to be, myself included.
Chris stood in front of the lake she usually went to when she wanted to be alone with her thoughts. It was close to Fine's mansion but far enough to not hear anyone but herself. Her companion is her reflection. She came to compose her thoughts before they were supposed to be dispatched to their mission. Takeru's words remained in her head as if he was right next to her, running his mouth as he would usually do.
"That stupid, knucklehead, idiotic, insufferable idiot." Chris muttered to herself, trying to shake the image of her hospitalized friend off her mind."Saying all those corny things. Who does he think he is? And he has the nerve to blame himself for what happened to me? Why is he so...so...so damn caring... Why does he even feel that way about me?"
"I believe that's because you two have a "bond". Don't you?"
Chris quickly turned on her heel, noticing Cypher approaching her. He was wearing a vendetta mask along with a dressing hat to protect his identity."Ouja..." She growled, restraining herself from lunging at him and choking him to death.
"That glare...I suppose that means you're angry?" Cypher hummed, not perturbed by her glare in the slightest."Interesting. Well, that does tend to happen when I harm a person's loved one. Suffice it to say, they glare and glare. Unable to do anything, of course. Because by that point, I have already cut their lives short."
His voice sounded robotic due to the voice emulator in the mask but still sent chills down her spine. The man in front of her was a hitman, after all. A professional killer. And could kill her in an instant before she could transform.
'I'll protect us from him.'
She remembered Takeru's words. Even in his current condition, he wasn't afraid of Ouja. And neither will she.
"Your empty threats don't scare me, Ouja." She narrowed her eyes."Don't fuck with me. Why the hell did you come here anyway?"
"Empty threats? Did you see through my bluff? Of course, I'm not going to kill you, Chris. You are important to my employer's plans. And besides, I don't kill unless I'm asked to do so." Cypher splayed his arms to the side."Contrary to popular belief, we assassins aren't serial killers. We don't kill on a whim. We do it for money. Well, normally, for money. I accepted your mistress' offer because I seek more than that. And this Rider War might be the thing that ignites what I've been missing my whole life."
"I don't give a damn about what you want." Chris pointed at him."I will never forgive you for what you did to Takeru. I don't need your damn help! I don't know why Fine hired you but I'll deal with you after the fact."
"So much...rage. And do I detect a hint of resolution in your words?" Cypher twirled his cane around."You go berserk when it comes to that guy's life. And yet, you seem to struggle with your emotions towards him. Is it because of your background? Because his mercenary group was essentially what caused your normal life to come to an end?"
"What? How do you-"
"I'm quite knowledgeable in some things." Cypher looked at his reflection in the water."I tend to investigate not only my targets but also the people I work with. I know how close you 2 are. But that affection is born on nothing but lack of love. You 2 had no one else to turn to so you turn to each other because of how similar your situations were. You don't care about each other. You merely cling to each other because that's all you know."
"Stop messing with me! I know you're trying to get in my head!" Chris barked, furious at his words."You don't understand us! You know nothing of us or our struggles!"
"True. Since I have no emotions, I also can't understand emotions." Cypher admitted."Which is why I'm trying to understand you. Why go so far for him? Are you afraid of ending up all alone in this world? For your name to disappear? No, that's not it I believe. I can see the pain on your face. The pain of your actions. All those deaths you 2 caused. Even if you wanted to run, you can't. Because that guilt will follow you forever. And perhaps, you think that together you can carry that weight. Or am I wrong?"
Chris bit her lower lip, not being able to detect what expression he was making due to his mask and his monotone voice.
"Though, from what I saw, it seems Takeru wants to carry that burden for you. Keep you from harm while he takes all the pain with him." Cypher's gaze fell on her."It's almost as if...he's trying to make amends."
"Amends...?" Chris' eyes widened.
"Like I said, this little relationship you have isn't genuine." Cypher began approaching her, the wood of the small deck creaking with every step."Human love and true understanding aren't possible. You are merely deluding yourselves. And you are letting this all happen."
"Me? What do you mean?"
"Because you somehow think Takeru's words hold meaning. That one day he'll make your pain go away and make you happy. And he'll keep suffering for you until the day he dies. Which will happen, by the way. Because this is a Rider War. Once my contract is up, I'll have to kill him. And you'll sink in despair because of your bond with him. But if you were to cut that bond, you'll never have to suffer again."
Chris took a step back when he stood close to her."Unless, of course, you think that he's worth all of that. And also worth the risk of losing. You saw what I did to him. Get used to seeing him hurt. From now on, that's all you'll ever know."
Cypher waited patiently to see a reaction. She looked confused, lost, and distraught.'Am I really...hurting Takeru? Am I just deluding myself by thinking that he'll always be there when I need him...? No, this guy is just messing with my head. Takeru isn't that weak. But...what if he is doing all this because he feels bad for me? Does he only care about making sure he fixes his father's mistake? But he said he loved me...No, I could never love a person like that. I'm broken...just like he is. All because of the damn adults that did this to us...'
With a sigh, Cypher took out his phone, tapping it several times."We should get going. The target is on the move. But keep in mind what I said. Especially next time you go visit him in the infirmary."
With a swift motion, he took out his Ouja deck from his back pocket, holding it in front of him. His V Buckle appeared around his waist as he struck a pose."Henshin!"
His Ouja armor clad him from head to toe, his cane replaced by his Venomvisor. He rotated his neck, groaning when it popped."Now it's time to get to work."
Outside of HQ, Second Division operatives were getting ready for their transport mission. Their objective was to escort Durandal to a more "secure" area. The plan was simple. While Ryoko, Hibiki, Hajime, and Goro would take Durandal on land surrounded by escorts, Genjuro and Yosuke would stay in the air and keep an eye out for them.
"How come you get to go on a helicopter?" Hajime asked Yosuke, pouting."I never rode a helicopter or a plane in my life. I wanted to be the one."
"Trust me, you don't want to have to deal with motion sickness." Yosuke groaned to himself, already mentally preparing himself."Not very fun. Plus, you'll be doing reconnaissance rather than sightseeing. I doubt you'd like that. Furthermore, I'm the only one suited for this position. Remember, you guys are pretty much running with a target on your backs. If the Noise attack, or even worse, that girl and Zolda, you'll be the first ones in danger."
"Uh..." Hibiki fidgeted nervously.
"That's why Ryoko-san will have you 3 with her. The idea is that you 3 will be fighting the Noise and the Nehushtan Armor user. She's quite strong, strong enough to drive Tsubasa to use her Superb Song. But together, you could stand a chance."
"Wait, so you'll be fighting Zolda alone?" Hajime gasped at the realization.
"Zolda is a long-distance fighter. While the girl will most likely attack you head first, he will most likely keep his distance and use his weapons to attack. Since I'll be on such a huge vantage point, I'll locate him first and charge him with my Final Vent before he can land a solid shot on you."
"A Final Vent..." Hibiki repeated, remembering what Tsubasa had said the first day they met."But that's dangerous, isn't it? You could kill him."
"A Final Vent is a Rider's ultimate move meant to be their strongest asset. But normally, getting hit first with a Final Vent won't kill you unless you have taken substantial damage. At least, mine won't kill him. It'll stun him, but not kill him. Now, of course, this all depends on each Final Vent. But that's the gist of the plan."
"Do you think you can take on Zolda by yourself? You sure you won't need one of us there?"
"It's fine. As long as I pressure him on close quarters, I'll be fine." Yosuke reassured Hajime."Don't worry. It won't be like last time. But you 3 need to be careful. If you find yourselves in trouble, let the other 2 know and switch positions. Don't be heroes and protect each other's backs. That is all. Go get ready. We'll be starting in 10 minutes sharp."
Yosuke turned on his heel, making his way to Genjuro to discuss their strategy.
"So..." Hajime kicked a rock on the ground, hands behind his back."You're training with the Commander I hear?"
"Yes! It's tough but it's what I need to get stronger." Hibiki nodded, pumped with determination."It's confusing sometimes because I'm not really into action movies but I more or less understand what he says sometimes and push through."
"So wait...the action movie thing was actually true?"
Goro chuckled at Hajime's stupefied expression."Yeah. He watches a LOT of movies. In his free time, he goes around renting all sorts of action DVDs and binges through all of them in no time."
"It's really fun sometimes. Maybe you'll like it too, Hajime-kun." Hibiki turned to him."You look like the kind of guy who likes his action films."
"I...guess?" Hajime said with an unsure tone."I'm more into scary movies. Or dramas."
"Really?" Hibiki's eyes widen in surprise."I thought you liked them, seeing as you like fights and all."
"I like to be in fights not watch them. And besides, most action movies are kinda repetitive." Hajime waved his hand."Horror movies keep you on edge and never let you relax for a moment. You never know when something might happen. And dramas keep your brain working because you try to figure out mysteries as the movie goes along with the characters. It's entertaining. What about you? What type of movies are you into?"
"Ah! Well...I'm not much of a movie watcher but I guess...I like comedies and slice-of-life movies. Miku got me into slice-of-life animes recently and I'm totally hooked. It's really fun to see life through another person's lives and what they do and how they deal with a certain problem they're facing."
"True that. It's crazy how everyone has things going on that are completely different from yours. But I'm sure no one else in the world is dealing with Noise and fighting off rogue Kamen Riders like we are."
"But they might be doing other interesting things. You never know. But..." Hibiki rubbed her left arm, averting her gaze."Back to what I was saying...I wanted to ask you if maybe...you wanted to train with me and master?"
"Master? He's making you call him that." Hajime chuckled in disbelief."Well...Nah, I'm fine. I'm more of a learn-on-the-moment type of guy. But uh...maybe we can hang out sometime? Watch a movie?"
"I would love that." Hibiki nodded, happy that he invited her to spend time together.
'Jeez...I feel like I'm the third wheel here.' Goro awkwardly pretended to be on his phone.
"Yoohoo! You guys ready?" Ryoko waved them over once she pulled up with her car.
"We're driving in this little car, Ryoko-san?" Hajime deadpanned at the vehicle which left much to be desired."We're transporting Durandal. Couldn't you have picked...I don't know, an armored car or something. Why an old lady's car?"
"Hey! I love this car, thank you very much." Ryoko planted her hands on her hips, leaning on her car."This baby has been with me for so many years it's practically family. Besides, I can't drive any other car that isn't my own. So that'll have to make due."
"We're so screwed." Hajime hung his head in defeat, receiving a few pats on his back by Hibiki."You can get shotgun, Hibiki-san. I'm just going to sulk in the back..."
"What happened to all that energy he had just a moment ago?" Goro asked, opening the door and allowing Hajime in before he settled in the back with him."Do you really think this is a smart move, Ryoko-san? I mean...to move Durandal in broad daylight like this?"
"Nope. But we have to do what we were asked, GoroGoro. It's dangerous but...what choice do we have, you know?"
"I wonder if we can talk that girl and Zolda down." Goro leaned back on his seat, clasping his hands tightly."We don't need to fight like this. If we can find a common ground, maybe..."
"Zolda might be our best bet." Hajime said as the car's engine came to life."He said his friend was suffering and wanted to cure them. That friend has to be the girl with the Nehushtan Armor. I mean...people aren't evil on purpose, right? Everyone's got a reason to do the things they do. Maybe they're misguided. I think someone definitely is behind all of this."
"Do you think so?" Ryoko adjusted her rearview mirror, locking eyes with the boy."I see your point. A couple of kids wouldn't be able to orchestrate everything. Not to mention the Noise have been a thing long before them. There are still many unknowns."
Meanwhile, a helicopter in the sky followed them, keeping a good distance away. Yosuke had transformed into Knight, holding a pair of binoculars in one hand while keeping his visor in the other with his Final Vent already drawn."Nothing to report. He's green. I would have seen him by now."
"He could strike us first. But with our radar, we'd be able to detect any projectiles being shot our way." Genjuro said, holding a headpiece close to his ear.
"That's true. But I doubt they'll find out we're tailing them since we're so high in the air and multiple cars are surrounding them." Knight surmised, deep in thought."All in all, they are the most vulnerable right now."
"I'm glad to see you trust them to handle one of the enemies," Genjuro commented.
"I trust myself to handle Zolda. He's out of their league and Tachibana is still much too weak to be able to do the same as Tsubasa. I'm worried. But this is the best plan I could come up with."
"It's a good one. Believe in it and it'll work out fine."
"If you say so, Commander."
As the car drove further down the highway, pieces of it became to break apart, indicating that the attack had started."So it begins. She's here. And Zolda must be somewhere too."
"Keep your eyes peeled," Genjuro advised before talking over the comms with Ryoko.
Down below, the teenagers were freaking out as they watched cars being launched into the air or falling off into the water.
"We're going to fucking die!" Hajime put his seat belt on, grabbing onto whatever he could find.
"Calm down! No one is going to die!" Ryoko said, tightening her grip on the steering wheel."Hold on tight. I'm a pretty mean driver with this baby."
"They're in the sewers too!" Goro cried out as he saw a car being propelled in the air by a water stream from the manhole."Should we transform?!"
"And do what? You're better off in the car!" Ryoko yelled, maneuvering her small car like a pro, avoiding the falling cars."Genjuro-kun, do you copy? We should pull out right now. That chemical factory is a huge pile of dynamite and we're heading straight to it."
"That's true, but you won't be in any immediate danger." Genjuro gritted his teeth in concern."The Noise are attacking your escorts. Meaning that without a doubt, they are being controlled."
"Great. And have you found our gunslinger yet? Because I don't want to get blown to smithereens."
"Not yet but we're looking. For now, continue to your destination. We'll have to settle things when we get there."
"That sounds like-"
"RYOKO-SAN!" All teens screamed in unison when a Noise threw a car in front of them, creating an explosion that destabilized their car and caused it to flip. Fortunately, Ryoko avoided the brute force of the shockwave at the last second by turning to the right, but they were now upside down.
"Everyone okay...?" Ryoko undid her seatbelt, falling on the roof of the car."Always wear a seat belt, right?"
Receiving a chorus of groans, Ryoko took that as them saying they were fine and exited the car. A group of Noise waited for them, and more continued to spawn.
Hajime and Goro pulled out the case containing Durandal out of the car."Now what? Do we get to fight? Dragreder must be angry at me for not feeding him lately."
"What do you even feed your monster?" Hibiki curiously asked.
"Noise. And sometimes I sneak him an apple or two." He rubbed his nose with a grin."I'm a very responsible partner."
"Guys, she's here." Goro pointed at the girl clad in silver armor, staring down at them with a frown.
"Hey, stop this!" Hajime let go of the briefcase, causing Goro to lose balance and fall."We don't want to fight you! We want to help you!"
"Help me? Help me with what?"
"Zolda told us that you're suffering! He wants to take that suffering away and that's why he's fighting!" Hajime proclaimed, earning a gasp from Chris."If we can talk this over, we can come to an understanding and-"
"He tends to talk too much!" She cut him off abruptly, clenching her fists."He doesn't know what he says and neither do you. Surrender that girl and Durandal and maybe I'll let you live!"
"Come on, we don't have to do this!" Hajime slowly reached for his deck as a precaution."Zolda is here too, right? Tell him to come out!"
"Shut up, shut up!" Chris stomped on the pillar she was standing on, nearly cracking it into pieces."Just shut up and die!"
The Noise began their assault and shot projectiles at them before they could transform. The group barely avoided the explosion of Ryoko's car, but the shockwave was enough to knock them to the ground.
"They're being attacked!" Knight grinded his teeth under his helmet."Still no sign of Zolda. What the hell is he waiting for?!"
Goro tried to grab his deck, but his nerves were getting the better of him. A blast of energy was closing in on them, but Ryoko stood in front of them protectively, casting a barrier. The combined attack began to push her back, and her hair came undone and her glasses were thrown away by the gust of wind.
"Ryoko-san, what are you doing? How are you doing that?" Hajime gaped, surprised that the scientist had some moves of her own."You look..."
"Totally different." Hibiki finished.
In effect, Ryoko was a new woman without her usual glasses and bun. But there was something else to her appearance. A glint of madness could be seen in her eyes, albeit momentarily. Hajime brushed this off as her possibly being an adrenaline junkie just like him and decided to continue to more pressing matters.
"You guys ready?!" He asked the group, pulling out his deck as did Goro. Their V Buckles appeared around their waist and Hibiki prepared to sing.
"Yeah!"
"Henshin!" Both Riders shouted.
"Balwysyall Nescell Gungnir Tron..."
(Gekiso Gungnir)
"Here they come," Chris muttered under her breath, bracing herself for combat. Hibiki began punching the Noise away and Scissors cut a few with his visor. Hibiki was now more aware of her surroundings, and every strike was sharper than her previous ones.
"You've improved!" Scissors noted, shocked"You've come a long way, Hibiki-chan!"
Hibiki smiled at him while she sang, before uppercutting away a Noise.
"She learned how to fight in such a short time?" Chris was mesmerized by her moves."Did the others also improve as well?"
Ryuki made a beeline toward Chris, drawing a card from his deck.
Sword Vent: Dragsaber
ATK: 2000
Chris quickly summoned her whip, using it to block the strike."You're a Kamen Rider, aren't you?"
"And you're that girl that needs saving!" Ryuki tried to push Chris, but she was stronger. She threw him back to the ground, creating a crater on the ground.
"I told you to shut up!" Chris swung her arm, maneuvering the whip to wrap itself around his body. With a loud cry, she sent him crashing against another pillar.
Hibiki watched Ryuki in danger and lunged right at Chris. The lavender-haired girl barely avoided a clean punch that would have hit her head and grabbed the cream-haired girl's arm. Before she could do anything, Hibiki jumped over her, twisting her arm behind her back.
'Back then, she seemed to have a good time and continue to taunt Tsubasa-san and I.' Hibiki pondered in her mind.'But now she looks like she's in turmoil and is very reserved.'
"You...damn you!" Chris elbowed her with her free arm in the face, nearly breaking her nose.
Strike Vent: Scissorspinch
ATK: 1000
Scissors grabbed Chris' arm and held on tight, drawing a bit of blood.
Hibiki delivered a powerful kick to her stomach, causing her to cough up spit.
'They keep taking turns to attack me to avoid taking damage and giving me no openings!' Chris growled in rage, losing ground.
As the fight raged on, the briefcase containing Durandal began to rattle, alerting Ryoko.
"We almost got her!" Ryuki was running towards Chris, winding his fist back."We'll make you listen!"
"Is that so?"
Before Ryuki could react, a new enemy appeared, kicking him in the stomach and sending him flying toward a wall, knocking the wind out of him.
"Ouja!" Chris yelled the Rider's name, who cracked his neck with a sigh.
"That's not Zolda!" Scissors stopped in his tracks, quickly ready to relay information through his communicator"I have to tell the others or-"
"Can't have you do that." Ouja appeared in front of him at insane speeds, kicking him in the head with a horizontal kick, smashing him against the ground. Ouja glanced up at the column of smoke raising towards the sky."That smoke is obscuring your comrades from seeing what's happening down here. I want to give them a nice surprise when they see your corpses."
"Who are you?" Hibiki took a fighting stance. Something inside her was screaming at her to avoid that man at all costs.'What's with this...aura of his?'
"I'm Kamen Rider Ouja. If you must know, I suppose I'm the wildcard to this little operation. So, you're the only Symphogear here? I suppose the other one is still out of commission after my partner here outclassed her and she foolishly decided to attempt to kill herself." Ouja mused, facing Hibiki.
"She didn't try to kill herself!" Hibiki sneered, angry at his disrespect towards Tsubasa."She did it to protect me!"
"Ah...You're an open book. You're mad because I said she tried to kill herself but I can also detect a bit of...regret? You said she tried to protect you? Maybe you were too weak to be of any use to her."
"What the hell do you know?!" Ryuki jumped back into battle with his Dragclaw in his arm."Our friend fought bravely! And she'll come back to us soon! You're lucky she isn't here because she'd be kicking your sorry ass to the ground!"
"Is that so?" Ouja chuckled."You're an open book as well. Interesting. Perhaps you both can show me how strong your emotions are."
"I'll show you, alright!" Ryuki rushed to Ouja.
"Ryuki, don't!"
Ouja showed him his card, opening up his visor and inserting it.
Sword Vent: Venosaber
ATK: 3000
Ryuki shot fireballs from his gauntlet, but Ouja easily cut them away with his sword. He grabbed one of the fireballs with his hands and tossed it at Hibiki, who had lunged at him. The attack sent her flying up toward the sky.
Ryuki threw a punch with his gauntlet, but Ouja slapped it away. The two of them began exchanging blows in quick succession. Ryuki was on the offensive and Ouja merely blocked them with relative ease.
"I'm not backing down either!" Scissors went to his aid, and now both of them were attacking him. Ouja was far faster than they thought and used his sword to block their blows as if they were mere children to him.
'He's insanely powerful.' Chris bit her lower lip.'No wonder he got the drop on Takeru. He's an assassin alright.'
She watched as Hibiki began descending back to the ground and made a quick plan."One of our objectives is right there!"
Hibiki began rotating in the air, using her momentum to punch away Chris' whip."I haven't forgotten about you!"
"Tch. She's pissing me off!" Chris snarled in frustration.
"Calm yourself." Ouja punched his foes away simultaneously."We have the advantage. We can just complete the mission right now but...it'll hold no meaning for me. I have yet to see how strong their emotions are." Turning on his heel, he raised his sword, pointing at Hibiki."Perhaps I should kill one of them? It always works as a good starter."
"Like I'd let you!" Ryuki jumped down towards Ouja with his Dragsaber. Ouja rose his sword without looking, blocking the strike."What?! But how?!"
"That attack was stronger than the previous ones. It seems you grow in battle. But your rapid growth won't be enough to beat me. So you care about that girl, huh? It's bizarre. Never in my career have I seen this kind of emotion in play. Usually, people don't hesitate to sell others out to save their own skin but this? You're jumping to danger at my threat?"
"I won't let you lay a single finger on her!" Ryuki reiterated, leaving no room for argument.
'A similar emotion to how Chris reacted when I trash-talked Takeru before.' Ouja mentally noted."What a wonderful emotion affection is. I wish I could know what that feels like. I envy you."
"Huh?"
"You have such wonderful friends to be able to want to risk your life for them." Ouja lowered his sword."How beautiful. I have only ever seen this in shows. But...you practically radiate that light. So does that girl. I knew I made the right decision when I accepted this job."
"Job?" Scissors repeated."What does he mean?"
"Show me more of your emotions...Ryuki!" Ouja went on the offensive, running with his arms spread toward Ryuki.
Ryuki accepted the challenge and met him halfway. Both their swords clash, but Ouja was superior. The swing was powerful enough to knock him to the ground. Ouja stepped on his chest, holding him in place."So...you are just a normal kid, huh? I guess not every Rider has a colorful background like mine or Zolda's."
"Where...where is Zolda?" Ryuki grabbed his leg, trying to get it off him.
"Not well, I'm afraid." Ouja pressed harder, earning a pained yell."He thought he could do whatever he wanted without consequences. And needed to be taught a lesson. Isn't that right?"
Chris halted in her tracks, remembering Takeru's state.
Hibiki noticed her reaction and gave her a concerned look."He hurt him?"
"Unfortunately, I didn't take a picture of it since he wasn't on my 'to-do' list. But I can show you by giving Ryuki here the same treatment."
"Leave him alone!"
Advent: Vulcancer
ATK: 3000
A crab-like monster humanoid appeared behind Ouja, bringing its arms down to grab him. The Rider leaped out of the way, landing a few yards away.
"I got a fix for that." Ouja drew a card and quickly activated it.
Venom Vent
ATK: 2000
A purple void opened up underneath Volcancer, engulfing it in a purple aura. The Advent Monster screeched in pain. Scissors quickly called him away before it could be destroyed.
"I'm not done yet..." Ryuki slowly stood up, facing off against Ouja. Scissors stood by his side as did Hibiki.
Chris landed behind Ouja."What now?"
"Just a little more." Ouja said."I'll take care of them. Retrieve Durandal."
"Right..." Chris begrudgingly accepted his orders, leaping in the air.
"No, you don't! Hibiki intercepted her with a punch, but this time Chris blocked it with her arms.
"Stop getting in my way!"
Ryuki fired fireballs at Ouja, who simply opted to sidestep through all of them, closing the distance.
Scissors attempted to attack him but was backhanded away. Ouja had eyes for Ryuki only.
'I can't let him hurt Hajime-kun!' Scissors drew a card from his deck and smiled.'This could work!'
Final Vent: Scissors Attack
ATK: 4000
Volcancer appeared behind Scissors as the boy jumped in the air. Volcancer propelled him in the air with its pincers as he began to spin, heading to Ouja.
Ouja didn't even acknowledge him, simply letting his monster handle the light work.
Advent: Venosnaker
ATK: 5000
A giant mechanical cobra emerged from the ground, spitting venom from its mouth and hitting Scissors, canceling his Final Vent
Scissors fell on the ground, wounded by the attack.
"How weak. How does my Advent cancel your Final Vent?" Ouja scoffed, not amused.
"Fuck you!" Ryuki went for a thrust, but Ouja bent his back and kneed him in the gut. Ryuki fell to the ground, receiving a series of kicks from Ouja. Ryuki screamed in pain with each kick, his cries reaching Hibiki's ears.
"NO! LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Hibiki pushed Chris off, jumping towards Ouja. Her eyes became red and her face darkened. Ouja was surprised by the sudden increase in power but managed to block her punch by crossing his arms in front of him. The attack pushed him towards a wall.
'She protected him...' Chris stared, dumbfounded.'Despite knowing how strong Ouja is...she jumped in to save him. Why? Why can she do that and I...I couldn't...?'
"That attack full of rage...so much emotion." Ouja chuckled at the attack he just received."Wonderful. Show me more! Show me how strong your resolve is! In fact, I'll wait for you to be at your strongest. By killing one of your friends."
Hibiki gasped when she saw the card he was holding. It was a card with his symbol on it."Don't worry. I'll leave your boyfriend for last. I prefer to start small, after all."
Final Vent: Veno Crash
ATK: 6000
Ouja broke into a sprint, Venoskaker slithering behind him.
"No, don't!" Ryuki tried to get up but his injuries prevented him from doing so.
Hibiki tried to reach Scissors to save him, but Chris wrapped her whip around her ankle, holding her in place."Let me go! He's going to kill him!"
"That's the point, dumbass!"
"But he's my friend!" Hibiki yelled and this was the catalyst for Durandal to break free from the briefcase.
'Huh? It activated?' Ryoko stared at the artifact."Never mind that...GoroGoro!"
Scissors took shaky steps trying to find his footing, watching as Ouja was getting closer and closer.'This is it...huh?'
"DON'T DO IT!" Ryuki screamed at the top of his lungs."STOP IT!"
"NOOOOOO!" Hibiki yelled in primal horror, making Chris flinch at how distraught she sounded.
Ouja listened to their screams as if it was music to their ears and jumped in the air. Venosnaker spat a stream of venom, propelling him towards Scissors as he began to do bicycle kicks.
Before he could impact his target, a black tornado collided against him, canceling his Final Vent. Ouja rolled on the ground, startled.'What just...?'
Knight landed on the floor, groaning in pain. He had used his Final Vent to save Scissors in the last second.
"I knew something was off so I jumped down." Knight stated, getting back on his feet and eyeing Ouja, who did the same."To think there was a new Rider...But I promised you guys...you won't die as long as I'm still breathing."
"So you're their little guardian? You sure know how to pick a timing." Ouja snickered, eyeing Durandal."Regardless, our job is nearly finished."
Chris let go of Hibiki and rushed to Durandal. Hibiki, amped by her emotions, managed to tackle Chris out of the way and take Durandal for herself.
The snake-theme Rider gasped as he had not anticipated Hibiki to get the better of Chris. A burst of energy pushed everyone back the moment Hibiki's fingers grabbed the hilt of the relic.
If she was scary before, Hibiki was even scarier now. Her eyes had grown into slits and became a darker shade of red. Her fangs grew and she growled like a feral beast.
"Hibiki!" Ryuki screamed for his friend, but his words were not heard.
"How intriguing." Ouja observed with interest."You continue to surprise me, Gungnir."
"What the hell happened? Why did it activate?" Knight asked, puzzled."Could it be that Hibiki's singing and everyone's Rider power caused it?"
"Who cares?!" Chris seethed."I won't let her flaunt her power like this!" Shooting a beam from Solomon's Cane, she created more Noise. But of course, they were no match for a single slash from Hibiki using the complete relic."It can't be!"
Hibiki rose Durandal, prepared to blast away everything in sight. Ouja took this chance to sucker punch Knight, causing him to stumble to the ground and rush for Ryuki.
Ouja kicked Ryuki's stomach, earning a scream of agony from the young boy which caught Hibiki's attention.
"That's right. You're mad I'm hurting him. Stop me. If you can." Ouja brandished his sword."Show me what a complete relic can do when wielded by a person driven by unadulterated rage!"
Chris took this opportunity to grab Hibiki's arms with her whip in an attempt to get the relic, but her energy alone was enough to break said whip.
Hibiki screeched, swinging down Durandal and meeting Ouja's own slash. Ouja quickly realized that he was chewing more than he could swallow and his sword broke. An explosion that could be seen from several miles away erupted, engulfing Ouja and Chris in the blast. The sword stopped glowing, and Hibiki quickly lost her transformation.
Knight, who had activated his guard vent to protect himself, Ryuki, Ryoko, and Scissors, watched in horror at his surroundings. Hibiki had leveled the whole area with a single swing using Durandal and overpowered a seemingly invincible enemy.
Or so he thought.
Ouja emerged from the smoke with an unconscious Chris on his shoulders. His armor was broken in some areas, and there was a gaping hole on the side of his helmet, revealing some of his head.
Knight stood up, standing in front of the rest."Do you want to fight? I'm warning you, I'm not as weak as the rest."
"I don't doubt it. We could fight right now but...you know what would happen, right?" Ouja drawled, patting Chris' back to emphasize his point."Though I don't care about this woman's life, she does have her uses. And she's the key in holding Zolda controlled."
Knight glanced behind him. Ryuki and Scissors were wounded, Hibiki was unconscious, and Ryoko...for some reason, looked ecstatic. In trance, even."Zolda...what did you do to him?"
"I'm sure you can figure that part out." Ouja cryptically said."But he's not dead if that's what you're wondering. Neither are your friends. I find them fascinating. Particularly that girl and Ryuki. They are special, in more ways than one. I'll eventually come back for them now that I'm personally invested."
"Like I said...you won't get to them unless you get past me." Knight placed a hand on top of his deck, prepared to fight if he had to.
"We'll fight another time. We are Riders, after all. We are meant to kill each other." Ouja proclaimed"You prevented me from finishing off a target, ruining my perfect record. I won't let that slide. Once I start a job, I finish it."
"Pride of an assassin?" Knight snorted at the idea."So someone is behind all of this controlling you guys. Who are you? And what are you after? You're different from Zolda."
"You know, you people have been asking me that nonstop today. Don't take me wrong, it's refreshing. You're the first ones who ask me who or what. Normally people just ask...why?" Ouja's ominous tone sent a shiver down Yosuke's spine. The cobra-theme Rider gave him his back, tossing a white card on the floor before he began to leap from place to place, eventually disappearing. Knight sighed in relief, allowing his transformation to come undone. Hajime had done the same and was now crawling over to Hibiki.
"Hibiki-san...wake up...please..." He pleaded, his body too weak to take him further and collapse in front of the girl. He tried to grab her hand, but darkness overtook him and lost consciousness.
"So they're gone?" Ryoko approached Yosuke, fixing her hair and putting her glasses back on.
"Yes. And I've learned some valuable information." Yosuke said, picking up the card that Ouja left behind. It had the symbol of a cobra and some writing on it"Code Cypher...what does this mean?"
"What's that?"
"Ouja left this behind before he left." Yosuke handed her the card.
"It looks like a pretty basic business card." She carefully analyzed it."I'll give it to Aoi and see what she can find."
Both of them stared at Hibiki and Hajime."We'll have to discuss what happened today. But I would prefer it if only you and GoroGoro attend the meeting. Those 2 deserve a break after this."
"Goro deserves one as well. He fought bravely." Yosuke shook his head."I'll get the details from them and meet with the Commander later."
Yosuke stared at the helicopter where the Commander was, spacing out.'Another hostile Rider. And this one seems irredeemable, unlike Zolda. Is my plan not going to work? What if we're not able to get enough allies to fight Odin? What would we do then...?'