Author's note: I'm so happy to see so many reviews for the last chapter. It really pumps me up to continue the story and I'm having tons of fun writing it. Thanks for all the support!

Reviews:

Sandshrew master 317: Yup. Fine is a natural manipulator and Ouja knows how to play with people's minds. Deadly duo. And yes I will give Takeru and Chris their moment but for now, they have some adversities to go through.

Cure Crystal: You think so? I get the Sakamoto and Adachi but the rest I just randomly came up with but I can see it. I do love me some persona. And yeah, I try to throw some Dragon Knight references here and there.

DCDGojira: Glad you enjoyed it, friend!

TheOkWriter: Nah, I get why you thought it was odd. Even more so since the attack points aren't listed in the show and you have to go to the wiki to find them out. But I'm glad you're enjoying the story so far.

Daemon of Wrath: Glad you're liking Ryuga so far. I tried to not make him too edgy but also ominous enough to be considered threatening. You'll see more of him in the future.

FlameFireZero X: Yes, Abyss will show up. It's all 13 plus Abyss and Alternative, of course.

maxfz19: xD el titulo tenia que ser ese si o si. Por cierto, quien crees que sea Tiger? Me gustaria saber tu opinion.

Chapter 11
From Hunter to Prey

"Ow! Easy!" Hajime exclaimed upon Ryoko finishing examining his arm. All of them had gathered around in the command center for a meeting.

"That's what you get for coming in late, young man." Ryoko lightly chided him."But overall, like the rest, you are fine."

"You say that but..." Hibiki grimaced upon looking at the black dots on her skin where Ouja had struck her."These bruises..."

"Ouja attacked your pressure points," Yosuke said, taking a sip from his cup of coffee.

"Kyusho Jitsu." Genjuro further elaborated."A fighting style specialized in striking one's pressure points to produce high levels of pain. I'm not surprised an assassin of his caliber is aware of that. With the right amount of pressure on certain areas, you can end fights in a second. That fighting style can bypass someone's durability. No matter how strong the other person is, if they are hit enough times in their pressure points, they'll fall like a tree. Even if they're fighting a far weaker opponent."

"However, the key to that is speed. I was able to defend myself so I don't know. But did you guys feel Ouja's attacks? Were they lighter than before?'

"Now that you mention it...they didn't feel as heavy as when he punched me the first time when we were escorting Durandal." Hajime recalled."But the pain was worse. Man, that sucks! Just when I thought I was starting to figure Ouja out he comes up with this!"

"You thought you were close to beating him?" Tsubasa skeptically asked, hands on her hips as she towered over him behind his seat.

"Well...maybe? No?" Hajime rubbed the back of his neck."But it was something. Maybe if I fight him again I can-"

"I doubt that." Yosuke cut him off abruptly."Your adaptability won't be of much use against that if you don't even know where he's striking. Plus you're still too slow to keep up with him. For now, it's best if you and Goro stay clear from him."

"Why me too?" Goro asked.

"Because Ouja is clearly trying to kill you." The purple-haired teen said without missing a beat."He said that when I saved you that time I ruined his record. So now he's actively focusing on you."

"But he didn't try to kill me. He tried to kill Tsubasa-senpai."

"He knew you would try to defend me." Tsubasa sighed."Yosuke was injured and the others were far from my position, except you. So it's best if you avoid him."

"I...understand." Goro accepted, lowering his head."Speaking of, how are you feeling?"

"Tsubasa is actually on her way to a full recovery." Ryoko chimed in."Thankfully the attack she received wasn't too bad so she was able to walk it off later."

"Walk it off is an overstatement." Tsubasa rubbed her stomach."I was pretty much out of combat for the rest of the fight. What about you, Yosuke? You got some of Venosnaker's venom on your leg, didn't you?"

"First-degree burn but it could have been worse. I'm all good. Don't worry. But now, let's move on to other matters. We have a lot to discuss, don't we, Commander?"

"That's right. First and foremost." Genjuro gave Sakuya a nod and he brought up a picture of a small girl to the screen. A second later, the picture of a young boy around her age."Chris Yukine. That's Ichaival user's name. She was one of the Attuned candidates we had our eyes on before she went missing."

"And that boy is Takeru Sakamoto." Ryoko continued."I was surprised when Yosuke told me his name. After some research, I followed that name up and I discovered that he was a member of the Breaker Alliance. More specifically, he was the adopted son of their leader, Raphael Salazar, and one of his...let's say, wives. Kyoko Sakamoto."

"Breaker Alliance? Sounds like a pretty cool name." Hajime commented.

"It was the name of a terrorist organization in Val Verde that has been wiped out from the map." Genjuro continued, causing Hajime to freeze due to his remark."The UN declared that all members were dead when they retrieved Chris from their grasp. Takeru gave a fake name, claiming to be a captive as well. But I never expected him to be alive. Much less to be a Kamen Rider."

"They didn't go with a background check?"

"There was no time. As soon as they came to Japan, they vanished."

"It must have been that Fine woman." Yosuke deduced."She kidnapped them to use them for her gain. She was also the one who stole Ichaival and gave it to Chris. Takeru Sakamoto was probably a bonus since he has the potential to eventually get her a wish if he wins the Rider War."

"And Chris used Solomon's staff, a weapon that can be used to summon and manipulate Noise, giving them a terrifying advantage." Genjuro rubbed his chin."I suspect Ouja wasn't involved until recently. Presumably, he was hired as a precaution."

"And here I thought we had an advantage not only in relics but also with Riders." Aoi voiced her concern.

"We still have more Riders than them. And more Symphogear." Sakuya pointed out."Sure, Goro, Hibiki, and Hajime have long ways to go, but they're getting there."

"Not to mention they seem to be going through a falling out." Yosuke narrowed his eyes."Fine said she was done with Chris and Takeru. And she also said to Ouja to do as he will. She might as well have told him to kill them."

"I trust that their intentions are misguided." Hajime said, surprising them with his words."I mean, I don't think a person that wants to protect a loved one is bad. Sure, they did some bad things but...the way Chris and Takeru worry about each other is genuine. I'm rooting for them to beat Ouja together and hopefully, we can get them to come to their senses."

"We managed to talk Chris-chan into leaving." Hibiki nodded."Maybe we could eventually get her to leave Fine's side for good with Takeru-san."

"We have to wait and see. They may have a shot. Ouja seemed pretty beat up and he was running on fumes when he left." Yosuke bit his lower lip."This brings us to the elephant in the room. Or two. Ryuga and that Tiger Rider."

"Yeah! That guy looks just like me!" Hajime grinded his teeth, fists clenching."Who does he think he is?! An imposter!"

"That aside..." Yosuke smacked Hajime on the back of the head."We don't know anything about his abilities. It'd be foolish to assume they're the same as Ryu-kid's because they look alike. The only one who truly knows is the one who was fighting him before we got there."

"Ouja." Tsubasa rubbed the edge of her nose."I doubt we'd get any information out of that guy."

"We could just pay him." Hajime bluntly suggested."I mean, he's an assassin, right? We can just pay him to tell us what we want to know."

"Are you dense? You're suggesting paying him into giving us information?!" Tsubasa yelled, causing him to shriek in his chair in fear."That's the worse idea I've ever heard."

"It was just an idea..." Hajime trembled, causing Yosuke to chuckle before he continued.

"Even if we miraculously managed to pay him more than Fine, I doubt he'd tell us. Remember that his mission is to capture Tachibana and Adachi. That encounter with Ryuga happened because Ouja tried to kill Tachibana's friend, Miku Kohinata. So it has nothing to do with his mission."

"He's a treasure trove of information, which gives us more reason to capture him. That or we encounter Ryuga first." Tsubasa hummed in thought."We are vaguely aware of his goals, however."

"He said he wants to bring up the ultimate good." Yosuke recalled his words."That humanity needs to follow a single good that will eradicate evil from existence. Whatever that means."

"Ultimate good?" Genjuro quirked a brow."That's strange. I wonder what he meant."

"He said that for humanity to be saved, all evil from the world must be removed. He scoffed at the idea of us using the wish to wish the Noise away, saying that there are still many evils in the world that will remain."

"So what, bastard wants to be a hero or something?" Hajime scoffed, still angry someone dared to steal his look.

"If so, that's a very bizarre way to go about it." Ryoko tilted her head."If that was his goal, he would have simply said he wanted to save people or stop evil. But that part about the ultimate good just throws that out the window. Besides, it's strange that he appears this late in the game. If his goal was to eradicate all evil, why did he not show up during the previous Noise attack? Why now of all times?"

"Is he an enemy then?" Aoi wondered."We still don't know his goals but so far he's shaping up to be dangerous."

Hibiki shook her head."No! He saved Miku! He can't be bad."

"But he did try to attack you and Hajime-kun." Genjuro reminded her."Clearly, he doesn't see us as his allies. Plus, he's not exactly good if he's going around killing criminals. That's the wrong way to go about things."

"But he did back down when Miku-san begged him to." Hajime pointed out."So he can't be ALL bad, right? Maybe he's like Chris and Takeru-san. Maybe he's just misguided."

"It's possible. For now, remain vigilant of him. We need to learn more about his goals and powers." Genjuro cleared his throat before continuing."I guess that leaves the tiger Rider. Friend or foe?"

"Neutral, I would say." Tsubasa earned their attention."It's far too soon to determine where his allegiance lies."

"He saved me, though." Goro said."He used that ice move to stop Ouja from performing his Final Vent."

"Yeah, he's right!" Hajime grinned, punching the air."And then he used his Final Vent to make Ouja eat shit! He's so cool!"

"Why Ouja?" Yosuke pondered."Out of everyone there, he attacked him specifically. And when his Final Vent failed, he bailed. Is he his enemy?"

"Again, we don't know the answer to that." Genjuro reluctantly admitted."But that's another Rider that we meet. So far we have Ryuki, Knight, Scissors, Zolda, Gai, Ouja, Ryuga, and now...let's call him Tiger until we get an official name."

"A guy like that has to have a cool name too!" Hajime continued being a fanboy."I doubt it's something as bland as Tiger."

"That makes 8 Riders out of 13." Tsubasa nodded."Odin aside, we're missing less than half the other Riders. I get the feeling things are going to become more hectic from now on."

"You can say that again." Yosuke said in agreement."By the way, about what Ouja said...About your fa-"

"Oh, yeah! Ouja said that fought against another Ryuki!" Hajime interrupted him."Was there someone else before me and Akira?"

"No, that's impossible." Genjuro shook his head."Akira was the first owner of that deck."

"How can you be so certain?"

"Because he told me about the process when you first get your Deck." Yosuke spoke up, raising his voice."It's different when the deck passes on to another user. Akira said that Odin was the one who came to him and offer him his powers. That's different from you two, Ryu-kid and Goro. You both just happened to get it out of nowhere and Odin spoke in your dreams after Odin killed the previous owners."

"Wait, what? And how do you know that wasn't just a very specific circumstance?"

"Because the same thing..." Yosuke's voice cracked slightly."The same thing happened to my father..."

"Your...father?" Hibiki echoed.

Tsubasa stood up and marched to him, putting a hand on his shoulder."Yosuke..."

"I'm fine." Yosuke assured her with a smile."My father was the first Knight. He became Knight roughly around 10 years ago."

"That's right. His father was good friends with me." Genjuro added."I was the first one he told about that."

"Right. And he said the same thing Akira said. Odin appeared before him and offered him his deck. But back then Riders weren't everywhere like they are now. Things are different. Anyway, that's how I can prove to you that Akira was definitely Ryuki's first owner."

"But that means...did Akira-senpai fight Ouja in the past?" Goro wondered, frowning."He never mentioned that, did he?"

"No. But then again, there's a lot about Akira's life he never mentioned." Genjuro folded his arms across his chest.

"Wait...so you guys didn't know him completely?" Hajime scratched his head."So he could have met Ouja before."

"No way. He would have mentioned it. To me, at least." Yosuke argued, sounding a bit unsure."I mean...there were some things we agree to hide from the girls. And we always talked about personal matters. So I'm positive he would have told me he fought another Rider."

"I wonder..." Tsubasa rubbed her chin."Akira was the one who sought us out after we found Kanade. It was like he knew where to look. I never gave it much thought until now. But we really don't know anything about his life before joining the second division."

"So...what does this mean?" Hibiki was still not wrapping her head around the matter."Even if he fought Ouja, does it change anything? Maybe he didn't tell you for a reason."

"Maybe...No, you're right." Yosuke shook his head."Akira must have had a reason. I'll just have to ask Ouja myself when I see him."

"There's a lot of secrets that Ouja is hiding from us." Ryoko nodded."It's best if we bring him in as soon as possible. Perhaps we can find out more about other Riders and what our enemy is like."

"As I said, leave Ouja to me." Yosuke reiterated."Worst-case scenario, I don't want you to stain your hands as well, if possible."

"As well?" Hajime turned to Goro, who just shrugged."What do you mean?"

"Let's not talk about it now." Genjuro clapped his hands."Anyway, it's getting late and you all got school tomorrow, right? Make sure you rest as much as possible and come up with a lie if someone sees the bruises on your bodies."

"Easier said than done." Hajime stood up from his chair, stretching with a groan. He eyed Hibiki, who was gathering her things in her bag, and walked up to her."Hey, Hibiki-san. About Miku-san..."

"I...I'm sure it'll be fine." Hibiki nervously chuckled, trying to convince herself rather than him.

"I can go with you and talk to her." Hajime gently grabbed her hand without thinking."You don't have to do it alone. I'm in this as much as you are and it'll be easier on you."

"Hajime-kun..." She stared at him with a dreamy look."No, it's fine. Miku's my best friend so it should be me who tells her the truth. I can't run from it."

"I see...well, if you're sure, I won't stop you."

"And Hajime-kun? Thank you. For having my back." She gave him a heart-melting smile, causing his cheeks to flare.

"Uh...no problem." He averted his gaze."You have my back too so it's only fair. You're great."

"Thank you..." Hibiki blushed as well, playing around with her hair."Hajime-kun...?"

"Yes...?"

"May I have my hand back?"

"Oh!" Hajime swiftly released her, stuffing his hands in the pockets of his jacket.

"Seriously...do you have to do this here?" Yosuke sweatdropped as he, Tsubasa, and Goro stood close by.

"Let them have their moment, Yosuke." Tsubasa giggled, covering her mouth."They deserve it for doing a good job."

"This is like watching a romance anime!" Goro had sparkles in his eyes."This is so sweet! What are you waiting for?! Kiss!"

"What?!" Hajime glared daggers at Goro."We're not-I mean, we-You know what, screw this. I'm going home."

Hajime stomped out of the room, refusing to look at anyone as he pouted.

"And what about you, Tachibana? How do you feel?"

"I...well, I don't know." Hibiki bashfully confessed."I never dated anyone before so I don't know..."

"Guess we're all inexperienced in that department." Yosuke patted her head, gently pushing her."Now go home. You guys can't stay up too late."

"Is that the student council president talking?" Tsubasa teased him.

"You too. You've missed school for a month so you gotta study!" Yosuke declared, earning an eye roll from her."By the way...about what Ouja said."

"I'd rather not think about it." Tsubasa quickly said, her face softening."Ouja...is probably lying."

"True. For now, it's best not to think about it. We have enough problems on our plate."

"One problem at a time, right?" Tsubasa smiled at Yosuke, who in return offered a nod.

A group of armed men were working around the clock in a private hangar on the outskirts of Japan. They were unloading crates from various trucks neatly parked by an airplane and were taking them inside.

"How's the situation going?" Asked a much older man wearing a business suit."Any problems?"

"It seems that that masked guy was right." His underling reported."These trucks were full of furniture. Expensive ones too. They'll sell well."

"It would have been a waste if they were used for the new houses they've been opening around recently." The patriarch snorted."Real estate is a helluva business. We should look into out once we're out of here."

"Hopefully the Red-Eyed Reaper doesn't follow us to Osaka." The other man said."We're one of the last few families remaining here."

"It's a good thing we decided to leave as soon as we could." The patriarch stroked his beard."Who knows when we would have been the next target? It's bad enough that all these anti-Yakuza laws are preventing us from doing much but now we live in fear of being hunted down. And of course, the police don't give a fuck about it. Fortunately, we can fight monsters with monsters. So even if he appears tonight, we have ways to fight it."

"Patriarch Matsugane!" A young man came rushing, nearly tripping over his feet."He's here!"

"Already? How did he find us?" The other underlying gasped.

"He must have done his research and figured out we own this land." The patriarch deduced."He probably picked us today because we're the only Yakuza family left that have means of leaving this cursed city."

Gunshots began drawing out their conversation, indicating that the battle had started.

Ryuga was fast and efficient as he cut through the mobsters with ease. He first started with the ones near the gates, then the ones covering the perimeters, and then the ones around the trucks.

"Start the plane!" Matsugane barked at his men and they eagerly obliged."You! It's time for you to earn your pay!"

Ryuga glared at the patriarch, drawing a card and opening up his Dragvisor.

Strike Vent: Dragclaw
ATK: 3000

A black version of Ryuki's dragon gauntly appeared in Ryuga's hand, wielding it along with his sword.

Confine Vent

As soon as it appeared, his Dragclaw vanished into thin air.

"What?" Ryuga observed his hand in curiosity.

"You're interfering with our business." Kamen Rider Gai jumped down from the hanger, giving him a thumbs down."Don't get in the way. This is the easiest money I'll ever get. In fact, I'm feeling so generous I can share a couple hundred thousand yen out of this deal."

Ryuga remained silent, choosing to stare at Gai.

"Seriously, I'm glad you're here." He got a little closer, lowering his tone."You see, I have inside knowledge of real estate. So when I found out about all that furniture being transported, unguarded at that, I knew I had struck gold. All I had to do was locate a Yakuza family both dumb and desperate enough to get in on the action. They serve as a distraction. But I knew you would show up and kill them. I hate having to get involved in doing the dirty work so I left that to you instead of doing it myself. It's a win-win if you ask me."

"You weren't going to honor your deal with them," Ryuga said, more of a statement than a question.

"Of course not. They're just worthless thugs." Gai chuckled as if someone had told him a casual joke."But...then again, you would know, wouldn't you? You've been killing them all around the country. You're that little vigilante who's been going around acting like a hero of sorts. But killing? Oho. Here I thought heroes never killed."

"I never claimed to be a hero." Ryuga said, his voice low but strong."I am a savior. The person who will lead mankind to salvation from the destruction of this world. This?" He twirled in place, admiring the various corpses and vehicles that he had set on fire."Is just closure."

"Okay, first I thought you were some kid who got too much power in his hands but now...Now I think you're a sad kid whose mom never loved him!" Gai cackled, holding his stomach."But...then again I guess you're not a normal kid if you think this is normal stuff. Though I suppose maybe the severity of the situation hasn't sunken in. You know these people won't spawn again or something like that. They're dead for good."

"No." Ryuga denied, his tone leaving no room for argument."They'll come back. All of them. All these deaths are just the price to be paid, that's all. This is inconsequential. To bring about the ultimate good, this is necessary. Besides...humanity is slowly killing each other anyway. Might as well accelerate the process. And I, the strongest Rider, have been chosen to do that."

"Now you're freaking me out. Also, strongest Rider? You have a funny way of saying you're the second strongest after me." Gai clicked his tongue, already drawing a card from his Deck."Well, it doesn't matter in the long run. If there's one thing I hate is fighting women and children. Why can't I ever fight another man? Oh, well. Let's finish this. I'll get stronger by killing you, right?"

"I doubt I'll have to use that. I'm fine." Ryuga stated, confusing his opponent.

"Huh? Use what?"

"Nothing." Ryuga responded, strolling forward without a care in the world."Just talking to myself."

"Oh, yeah? You're just a nutjob!"

Strike Vent: Metalhorn
ATK: 2000

Gai gave a battle cry, charging forward and going for a thrust immediately. Ryuga took a step back, avoiding the attack. Gai gritted his teeth and went for continuous thrusts, which Ryuga effortlessly avoided. Ryuga noticed how Gai was vulnerable after each strike, so he went in after dodging and gave a rapid succession of punches against his chest.

"What was that for?!" Ryuga tried to swat him away but the black Rider jumped back before sliding under his legs, delivering a kick to the back of his head. Gai stumbled forward, nearly losing his footing. Before he could turn around, Ryuga kicked him in the back, sending him sliding across the pavement, creating sparks due to the friction with his armor.

"Something's wrong." Ryuga narrowed his eyes."My attacks aren't working."

"Oh, yeah. As you can probably tell..." Gai picked himself off the floor, seemingly unharmed."My armor is the toughest. Your weak punches and kicks won't do much against me."

"Then I'll just have to break you slowly and steady." Ryuga closed his Dragvisor, activating an ability.

Sword Vent: Dragsaber
ATK: 3000

'Tch, this is getting messy.' Gai darted his eyes to the plane that was getting ready to take flight. The remaining Yakuza were just about done finishing loading the boxes.'This kid is faster than me and his agility is insane. And if he's just getting started, I might be in trouble. The last thing I wanted was to get in an actual death match. And these clowns are still breathing. Worse comes to pass I'll have to blow the plane up and take what I can get. The cops should be here any minute now. Or worse, those brats from before.'

Ryuga began getting closer and closer, throwing his blade from hand to hand.

'Still...No way I'll lose to a naive kid like this one. I can do whatever I want as long as I have this power. Furthermore, I have still yet to meet them again. And her...my sweet sweet love. Have you been thinking about me all these years? Have you been lonely without me? Or have the little runts kept you company? Or maybe...has that bastard replaced me entirely. He was always better than me. Acting like he was the shit. But now...'

Gai bit his lower lip so hard he drew blood."You are just like him! You think you're so cool! You think you're better than me?! You look down on me?!"

Ryuga stopped in his tracks, alarmed by Gai's sudden reaction.

"I'm better than him! I'm better than YOU! I WILL NOT BE SECOND BEST EVER AGAIN!" Gai screamed at the top of his lungs, charging at Ryuga.

Ryuga jumped to the side, using his agility to his advantage, and went for a spiral kick to Gai's neck. The attack landed, but Gai merely grunted and brushed it off before swatting him with his Metal Horn.

Taken aback, Ryuga buried his sword in the ground to stop his momentum."He withstood that?"

"See? Just like that, your confidence breaks." Gai guffawed maniacally."I'm better than anyone around me! Me! Finally, I'm strong enough to do what I want!"

'I'm okay, onii-chan. I can keep going as long as you guys are okay.'

Gai suddenly stopped his rant. Clasping his head."No...I have to forget that. Bonds mean nothing! They're useless!"

Ryuga was beyond puzzled at this point."No idea. I think he's losing it."

"Talking to yourself again and then you have the nerve to say I'm losing it?" Gai snorted, pointing at him with his Metal Horn."Sorry, you had to see that, kid. I had to let out a few emotions here and there."

"It appears that you have your own burden to carry." Ryuga remarked."Interesting. Here I thought you were just a failure of an adult that got too big of power and thinks he can do what he wants. How despicable."

"Don't look down on me, you little shit." Gai snarled but kept his emotions in check."Bring it on."

Ryuga and Gai dashed at each other, swinging their weapons. Dragsaber completely pushed back Metal Horn, destabilizing Gai. Ryuga slashed Gai's chest twice before punching him in the head.

Gai hissed in pain after noting that his attacks were strong enough to damage him. Ryuga went to finish the job, grabbing his sword with both hands to perform a vertical slash.

Gai blocked the sword with Metal Horn and quickly followed by tackling Ryuga and slamming him against a crate. Ryuga's body quickly recuperated, moving up unnaturally, as if he were a marionette."What the hell?"

"You can't defeat me. You will never defeat me." Ryuga proclaimed."You are nothing against the ultimate good."

The sound of the loud engine alerted them. The plane was beginning to move and picking up speed.

"Hey! You thieves!" Gai quickly broke into a sprint, followed by Ryuga."Oh, no you don't."

Advent: Metalgelas
ATK: 4000

Metalgelas shoulder-tackled Ryuga into the hangar, breaking through the wall.

"The monsters will kill each other off." Matsugane looked out the window at Gai."Naturally, we won't be sharing the profits with him. He was just using us."

Advent: Dragblacker
ATK: 6000

A black dragon wrapped itself around the plane, its head peering into the pilot's cabin. The dragon took a chunk out of the window with its jaws, taking the co-pilot with him as well. The plane began taking off into the air with Dragblacker coiled around it, the Yakuza inside screaming in horror.

"If that plane crashes, everything will be destroyed! And all this would have been for nothing." Gai seethed, trying to think of a way to get the plane down.

Strike Vent: Dragclaw
ATK: 3000

Gai barely had time to react when black flames grazed his right arm and continued flying toward the plane, completely incinerating the right wing. The plane dived down without control, crashing on a nearby mountain and exploding upon impact, killing whatever Yakuza remained along with all the merchandise they stole.

"Shit..." Gai groaned in frustration."Damn it! I was so close! I was so close to getting rich! You-"

A fireball struck him in the stomach, causing him to gasp in pain. He was sent flying towards a tower, knocking it over.

"Damn you..." The rhino-themed Rider was vivid, quickly drawing a card and tossing it to his visor on his shoulder.

Shock Vent
ATK: 1000

Metalgelas proceeded to stomp on the ground, creating a powerful earthquake. Ryuga jumped in the air, unleashing more fireballs.

'He figured out how to avoid my Shock Vent?!' Gai was bewildered, forced to take the attacks head-on.'No choice. I'm going to have to finish this now!"

Final Vent: Heavy Pressure
ATK: 5000

One of Ryuga's eyes turned yellow, holding a single card in his hand. Gai jumped as Metalgelas began running, holding his legs on its shoulders.

"BRING IT ON, YOU WORM!" Ryuga challenged, his voice raising in pitch.

Black Vent: Calamity Gate

A black portal opened up in front of Gai as he went through it. He suddenly was high in the air, and since Metalgelas had no ground to stand on, they began to free fall. Ryuga took a deep breath, winding his arm back and unleashing more black flames from his Dragclaw that took the shape of Dragblacker. The flames engulfed Metalgelas and Gai, causing an explosion that could be seen from miles.

Gai landed harshly on the ground, bruised and battered. He attempted to sit up, but a foot held him firmly on the ground. He tried to get him off, but Ryuga was too strong for him."I can't shake him off...?! And what was that portal just now? You little trickster piece of shit!"

Ryuga exerted more force, earning an agonizing scream from Gai. His eye returned to red."And now, you die. Don't worry. You'll be back in the near future!"

Suddenly, Ryuga froze in his tracks, his Dragclaw inches away from Gai's head. He didn't move a muscle, almost as if he was frozen or paralyzed."Are you sure? He's evil, just like the rest. Okay, but-I see. You have a point."

Gai inhaled precious oxygen once Ryuga removed his foot off his chest."I'm not going to kill you. You're in luck. You get to die slowly with the rest of the world."

"Who...who are you...?"

"I'm...Kamen Rider Ryuki." Ryuga looked over his shoulder with a sly smile under his helmet."We'll cross paths very soon. Though next time I'll be sporting a different color. So don't keep me waiting. I attend Kaiser Academy, so if you ever want to fight me again, come and see me." With that, Ryuga casually walked away from the hangar, the sound of sirens echoing in the distance.

"Ryuki...don't think you've seen the last of me..." Gai clenched his fists, his transformation becoming undone and revealing his slim build dressed in his work clothes."I will not be defeated by a fucking kid! I will not! Do you hear me?! I won't lose to you OR HIM! RYUKIIIIIIIIIII!"

Later that night, Gungnir's user meekly entered her room, nervous. Miku was busy reading a book on her desk, paying no heed to Hibiki."Miku...can I come in?"

"Sure. It's your room too, after all." She replied, no emotion present on her face.

"About what happened...I didn't mean to keep it a secret-" Hibiki tried approaching her, but Miku loudly close her book, standing up.

"I know everything. You couldn't say anything because you promised to keep it a secret." Miku glared at her, practically shoving the book into her chest before storming off to her bed."You promised never to keep a secret, liar. But that didn't stop you from getting involved with Hajime-san and keeping all this from me..."

"Hajime-san isn't the one to be blamed!" Hibiki protested."He got involved the same way I-"

"I don't want to hear it. It's bad enough that you trust your new boyfriend more than me but then you lie?" Miku silenced her, shutting the curtains and heading to sleep. Hibiki was speechless, she had expected worse, but she didn't even get a chance to explain.

The next day, Hajime and his friend Kuroiwa sat around on the school's staircase leading to the senior's floor skipping class. Kuroiwa was currently enjoying a bag of chips with one hand while watching a movie on his phone with the other.

Hajime sat against the walls, his legs curled."Say, Kuroiwa?"

"What up." Kuroiwa munched on his chips, not paying attention.

"We've been friends for a while, right?"

"Yeah?" Kuroiwa quirked a brow, pausing his movie."Don't tell me you're going to get all sentimental on me, Adachi."

"I was going to ask you...How long have we known each other?"

"After the whole thing with your mom." Kuroiwa hummed in thought."Yeah, back when you were bashing people's faces practically every day. I remember I tried talking to you a few times and you always tried to fight me."

"And you supplexed me." Hajime chuckled at the memory."But was there anyone else with me? I mean, did you see anyone hanging out with me? A girl maybe?"

"With your crazy ass? No." Kuroiwa shrugged."But it's different now, isn't it, you ass face. Now you're Mr. Popular. You've been ignoring me for the past month and a half!"

"Not on purpose. I have just been...busy." Hajime trailed off, whistling awkwardly.

"Busy?! Yeah, I bet you have! You probably have a girlfriend or something and you have been ignoring me! I thought we rolled with friends before hoes."

"Hibiki-san is not a hoe!" Hajime suddenly was in Kuroiwa's face, practically almost pinning him against the wall.

Kuroiwa, instead of being intimidated, burst out in laughter."Got you! I knew there was a girl involved. And her name is Hibiki, huh? You asshole, when were you going to tell me? We're best buds!"

"We're not dating." Hajime huffed, folding his arms."Look, I just...I finally started having the opportunity to talk to more people and break out of my shell. I don't want to repeat the mistakes I made last time. Sorry..."

"Meh, I get it." Kuroiwa rose his hands in mock defeat."I've been busy too. I told you I was probably going to work at my family's ramen shop so I've been practicing like crazy. So I guess all is forgiving."

"How is that coming along?"

"Good, actually. Better than trying to study for a career I'm probably going to hate." Kuroiwa yawned, seemingly tired."You ever seen those salarymen downtown? They look dead. So I'd rather do something I'll enjoy. I might drop out."

"Don't-"

"IF school wasn't all about studying and stuff. I'm here to enjoy my high school days too." The bluenette shot him a wicked grin."And go wild in the process. Just like we always do."

"I guess. But I can't keep getting in trouble anymore." Hajime rested his chin on his palm."I promised my sister I would do better in school."

"Setsuna-chan? Now your sister is bossing you around. Oh, boy. You'll have a rough time when she goes through her rebellious phase."

"I'm pretty sure we're still going through that, you moron." Hajime rolled his eyes playfully."We're not that old."

"You say that but I'm 16, you're turning 16 soon. Two years from now we'll be 18 and time goes on. But yeah, I'm a bit sad you can't keep skipping most classes with me anymore but hey, you have a brighter future than me so go for it. Besides, I'm sure that girlfriend of yours will appreciate the effort. No girl likes to date a good-for-nothing dude."

"Tell that to my mom." He spat venomously.

"Oh, right. Why did you bring up that girl again?" Kuroiwa backtracked, not wanting to open a can of worms.

"I remembered I used to play with her when we were younger and I was wondering if I could contact her and see how she's doing. I remember that we promised each other we would hang out in the park near my house but one day she just stopped showing up. But I don't even remember her name. I don't think I asked."

"Seriously? You never asked?" Kuroiwa scoffed."That's so like you. Being inconsiderate with the ladies. Not to mention it's hard to forget a weird girl like that. Saying desu all the time and stuff."

"Desu?"

"Yeah, don't you remember?" Kuroiwa sighed upon Hajime shaking his head."Can't blame you. I guess all that medication they made you take made you forget certain things. I never really spoke to her but I would watch you guys from afar. She would go like "Adachi, come play with me-desu! Look at this puppy! It's so cute-desu! You're so mean, Adachi! Desu!" Kind of like that. Weird for a kid like her to say death all the time but meh. What, she knew your name and you didn't know hers? What did you call her."

"Wait...I vaguely remember that. Yeah, she said that a lot. And she would jump around all the time. Do you remember her name?"

"Like I said, I never spoke to her." Kuroiwa shrugged, a mischievous smile forming on his lips."Don't tell me you want to date another girl. Woah, Adachi. I didn't peg you for a harem type of guy."

"Huh? No! That's not it at all!"

"Would you introduce her to me then? She was kind of cute. Little blondie."

"Hell no! And besides, I don't even know where she is or her name!"

"Okay, okay. I'm just messing with ya." Kuroiwa flicked him in the forehead."Calm down. You're the smart one. I'm sure you'll figure something out."

"I'm not that smart." He rejected the idea."I'm more of a brawler than anything."

"Nah, ever since we were kids you demonstrated crazy intellect. You just don't like to stand out and are too lazy to be honor roll but if you tried, I'm sure you'd be the smartest guy here. Remember that gambling ring? That was your idea. I would have never thought of that."

"You're not that smart."

"Ah, fuck you." Kuroiwa clicked his tongue but smiled. Hajime smiled as well, and both best friends acknowledged each other with a fist bump.

"I don't think I've said this before but...thank you. For being my friend."

"I should be the one thanking you. Without you, I'd still be eating shit with those tasteless goons I used to call friends."

"Sorry to interrupt..." Both friends yelped at the voice above them. Yosuke, the student council president, stood at the top of the stairs.

"Ah, shit. It's Yanagi-senpai!" Kuroiwa hid his phone and chips.

"What's up, batsy." Hajime casually greeted him, earning a puzzled look from Kuroiwa.

"Ryu-kid, what are you doing here? Skipping in this place, really? Go ahead. I won't report you this once." Yosuke waved them goodbye, going back up.

"Wait...since when are you pals with that prez?"

"I wouldn't say we're pals we're just...part of the same DND group. We roleplay."

"You...replay?"

"Yeah, that's why he calls me Ryu-kid. My character is called Dragon Knight and is a brave knight that fights the forces of evil! His name is Wing Knight and he's a bat. That's why I call him batsy."

"Pff...I didn't know the prez was into DND." Kuroiwa chuckled at Yosuke's expense."Anyway, he let us go easy thanks to that. We should head back to class."

"Great..." Hajime grabbed his back and gathered his things."What do we have right now?"

"Biology class." Kuroiwa said, hiding his chips in his bag."Boring shit. We're studying about nerves and stuff."

"Nerves?"

"Yeah, something like that. Let me check the syllabus." Kuroiwa pulled out a piece of paper from one of the zippers his bookbag had."Yeah, here it is. We're studying the body's nerves."

"Like pressure points?"

"I guess? I don't know."

"What the fuck! Then why are we here?! Let's go!" Hajime practically ran down the stairs, excitement giving his body the energy it needed.'If I can learn about pressure points, I'm sure I'll be able to beat Ouja next time! Just wait, you sniveling snake! Ryuki is coming for you!"

"But...I wonder what else I forgot due to the medicine." Hajime pondered in his mind, worried that he may have forgotten more important details.

Current Known Kamen Riders:

Ryuki: Hajime Adachi

Knight: Yosuke Yanagi

Scissors: Goro Tanaka

Zolda: Takeru Sakamoto

Gai: (First name unknown) Kuwana

Ouja: Code Cypher (Real name unknown)

Odin: Unknown

Ryuga: Unknown

Tiger: Unknown