Chapter 14
Unexpected Help

"Commander! We've contacted Hibiki and Tsubasa!" Aoi said as she connected the wall to the main screen, showing two familiar faces on the screen.

"Good." Genjuro nodded."No time to waste. There is an attack going on in Kaiser Academy."

"Is it the Noise?!" Hibiki gasped, her mind trailing off to Hajime.

"It's Kamen Rider Gai." Genjuro informed them."Yosuke just got off the phone with me right now. He evacuated all the students. As many as he could...your main job will be to secure all the civilians around the area and then help subdue Gai."

"Roger." Tsubasa said."How are the others?"

"I haven't received any solid response but it seems like Hajime was engaging Gai. Firefighters and police officers were dispatched to the area to help control the flames, but that building won't hold for long. Not to mention the media will most likely swarm the place. So be careful."

"R-right/Right."

Hibiki got off the call, biting her lower lip."Please, be okay, everyone..."

Tsubasa rode her bike, grimacing as she briefly eyed her phone and noticed that videos recorded by students were being uploaded to social media. One of them showed Gai stomping on Ryuki mercilessly. The sight of it infuriated her, and she accelerated as fast as her bike could go to get there in time.

Gai and Knight stared down at each other, each of them running scenarios in their head on how to engage the other.

"Ryuki. Are you able to stand?" Knight asked his comrade, his eyes glued on his opponent.

"My chest hurts..." Ryuki groaned, attempting to sit up."I think he broke a few ribs. And my ankle is sprained."

"I see. You and Scissors stay out of this. Like I said, I'll handle him." Knight readied his Winglancer in his hand.

"Big words from a little man." Gai snickered, slamming his Metal Horn on the ground, creating a small crater."This must be my lucky day. I get to kill 3 Kamen Riders! I can't wait to see how stronger I'll become."

"You won't get to find out." Knight rose his lance, rushing at Gai.

Gai welcomed the challenge. Metal Horn blocked Winglancer as he had expected, but Knight's follow-up caught him off guard. He kicked his leg with enough strength to bend his knee, and Knight took advantage of this and slashed him across the legs. Gai staggered back, using Metal Horn to hold himself in place, growling.

Trick Vent: Shadow Illusion
ATK: 1000

A total of 8 Knights surrounded Gai from all sides, each brandishing a lance of their own.

Gai seethed, taking the initiative and attacking one of the Knights, piercing him with Metal Horn. Another one slashed him in the back, sending him towards another clone who kicked him in the side. Gai grabbed his leg, tossing him against another clone and they both disappeared.

The real Knight came from above, kicking him across the face and nearly bending his horn. Gai was slammed against a wall, groaning in pain.

"I had a feeling that you weren't all that. You're a regular person who happened to get that power. Not a trained assassin or a mercenary. And you weren't trained since you were little like me. You're just a normal person underneath all that armor and have never experienced a real fight. And as such you're nothing special. You can't win."

"Don't look down on me." Gai coughed, holding his head."I was among the best candidates for becoming a Kamen Rider...you don't know anything."

"Best candidates?" Knight narrowed his eyes."What are you talking about?! Explain!"

"Like I would tell you shit." Gai snickered, beckoning the remaining clones to attack him."I'm a rightful Kamen Rider! I am free!"

Gai ran past the remaining clones, skewering them simultaneously. Knight parried his horn, shifting its trajectory and swiftly slashing him in the chest. Gai tanked this attack and tried to sweep Knight. But he blocked the attack with Winglancer and kicked Gai in the chin. Losing his balance, Gai fell on his back with a loud thud.

"Impossible! How?!"

"Like I told you before, against someone who knows how to fight, you stand no chance." Knight drew a card, switching his lance back to his rapier.

"I won't let you!"

Advent: Metalgelas
ATK: 4000

"Kill him!" Gai ordered as he decided to go finish Ryuki off. Metalgelas charged at Knight, but this one did not seem perturbed in the slightest.

Nasty Vent: Sonicbreaker
ATK: 1000

Darkwing flew by Metalgelas, screeching so loudly that Metalgelas was paralyzed.

"I said I'm your opponent!" Knight was hot on his trail, already catching up to him.

Ryuki grunted, getting ready to block Gai's incoming attack when an orange blur landed in front of him. Gai was too flabbergasted to block the punch to the gut. The sound of a piston going off reached his ears, and he was sent flying away from his target. A blue flash went by, kicking Gai on his sides and slamming him to the ground.

"You guys!" Scissors beamed, happy to see Tsubasa and Hibiki.

"We don't have much time." Tsubasa addressed the Riders."We have to restrain him and get out of here. The school is going to collapse at any moment."

"Wait, what about the-"

"The police are evacuating all the bystanders out of the area. When this place comes down, all the streets will be covered in dust and smoke."

"And if the smoke is inhaled, it will cause serious health problems for anyone who breathes it in." Knight glanced back to the Symphogear."You guys need to get out of here then. Unlike us, you don't possess helmets that filtrate toxins."

"We should be fine for now." Hibiki said, covering her face with her hand."Hajime-san, are you alright?" She knelt down, grabbing his arm and wrapping it around her shoulder."I'll help you."

"Thanks..." Ryuki muttered, his voice devoid of any emotion.

"Are you...okay?"

"Yeah..." He lied, frowning under his helmet.

"Tch. Great." Gai coughed up saliva, gritting his teeth."Just what I needed. Now I'm fighting children AND women. Need help from your little girlfriend, Knight?"

"No need for that." Knight clicked his tongue."No one will fight you but me."

'This is bad.' Gai glanced around them. He had five enemies and he was already losing to just one.'I can't fight all of them. And if that little shit Scissors caught me off guard before, I won't be able to fight this many opponents. What a pain! How am I ever going to fight THEM if I can't at least do this?'

He stared at Knight, who was beginning to approach him once more. He then looked at the flaming ceiling.'Guess you were right, Knight. I have no combat training against other people. I suppose it's best to retreat for now.'

Final Vent: Flyinglancer
ATK: 5000

Gai gasped, realizing Knight had leaped in the air and was coming at him, his cape becoming a drill.

Confine Vent

Darkwing disappeared from Knight's back, but he had anticipated this and landed on the floor gracefully before dashing at Gai."You can't use that move consecutively, can you?!"

Blue Flash

Tsubasa ignored Knight's words and rose her sword, enlarging it in size and sending a slash of bluer lighting at Gai.

Reluctantly, Gai ignored his ego and drew a card, quickly using it.

Shock Vent

Metalgelas began stomping on the ground hard enough that the building finally gave in and began to collapse.

"Oh no!" Tsubasa cried out, turning to her juniors."Scissors, Tachibana! Get Ryuki and get out of here! Knight!"

Knight paid no heed, chasing after Gai."Come back! You coward!"

The floor above them fell, blocking the exit and cutting the path to reaching Gai. Tsubasa pulled on Knight's cape in time as rubble fell near them. Begrudgingly, he followed Tsubasa out through the hole leading to the fields just in time as the school collapsed. Tsubasa jumped high in the air, leaping from building to building and glancing behind them as a cloud of dust covered the whole street. Kaiser Academy was no more.

Kuwana fell face-first in an empty alley, splashing his face with a puddle. He panted for air, his body covered in bruises."Damn it...damn it! How could I have been bested by children and women?!" He glanced back at where had come from. The smoke had risen in the sky and the distant sound of sirens could be heard. He spied a few helicopters flying by and recognized some of the letters on them.

"The media. Great. And I'm sure some of those brats took pictures of us." Kuwana leaned against a dumpster."Now that old hag is gonna know I'm still around. And they're going to start looking for me. It's bad enough that I killed that idiot so if they connect the dots, they'll find out I was the one who did it."

He closed his eyes, his mind recalling worse days back when he was a child. A vague memory of the people that dared call him a brother. He remembers sitting in a corner all the time and that despicable, infuriating, and idiotic boy would always approach him. But he didn't understand anything. He didn't have to struggle to get their attention. He was perfect. All of those other brats loved him and looked up to him, never sparing a glance in Kuwana's way. But that girl. She was the only one who understood him. Who laughed at his jokes and offered to hear his complaints.

At first, he thought of her as a pest, but slowly she grew on him. She made him feel special. The darkest time of his life and it was the only time he felt special. All those years in school after he escaped couldn't compare. Graduating at the top of his class and hearing the fake applause didn't feel fulfilling, and neither did scoring a job in a good company. Nothing could ever compare to how she made him feel.

'There is one thing...' Kuwana grinned, chuckling.'If that old hag decides to act, I just might see you...my beloved...wonder if you ever think about me while you're out there during your concerts.'

He looked at his deck, taking out his Advent Monster's card."You sure ate well today, did ya, buddy? But I have to get stronger too if I want to stand a chance against a group of people. I wonder if I can take MMA classes..."

Back in Section Two, the Riders and the Symphogear entered through the doors leading to the command center.

"You guys! You're okay!" Ryoko eagerly rushed to the boys' side."We have to get you to the infirmary now!"

"We're fine." Ryuki deactivated his transformation, falling on his rear. Hibiki crouched next to him, examining his ankle."Just sprained my ankle...might have possibly broken a few ribs."

"That's seriously bad, Hajime-san!" Hibiki insisted, but the boy closed his eyes with a somber expression.

Yosuke kicked a nearby wall, breaking a hole into it, venting his frustration."God damn it!"

"All of those students...our peers..." Goro hugged his legs as he sobbed."It's my fault, Yosuke-senpai! I believed his words! When he said he wanted to help us and help his mom, I...I-"

"No, I don't blame you." Yosuke shook his head, walked over to his junior, and placed a hand on his shoulder."I also fell for Gai's lies before. And knowing your situation with your father, it's understandable you sympathized. I wish I could have stopped him sooner..."

"You did what you could, Yosuke." Tsubasa comforted him."You had to get those students who were too scared to act out of there. If it weren't for you, they would have died. You did what you could."

"But I let Hajime-kun be hurt!" Goro glanced at his friend."You were right! You knew he was lying! I should have listened to you. God, I'm so useless...I always make things worse..."

"You're not like me." Hajime grimaced."But even I was hesitating when it came to destroying his deck."

"Destroy his deck?" Genjuro quirked a brow.

"I don't think I have it in me to kill someone." Hajime explained."So I thought if I destroyed his deck, he would have no means to harm more people. But then I thought about what it means to be a Rider. We're all people in this game trying to get a wish granted. If I destroyed his deck, it would have been the same as killing him and his dreams. He mentioned he had someone he cared about that died. Maybe he wants to revive her."

"If that were the case killing all these people, students and salarymen alike would make no sense." Yosuke crossed his arms."He did that all on his own because he enjoys it."

"He called it being a human. Using your freedom and power to take others' freedom."

"We're dealing with what sounds to be a sociopath." Genjuro sighed."But why did he target Kaiser Academy?"

"Ryuga..." Hajime's face morphed into one of anger."That bastard! He tricked Gai! He must have crossed paths with him and somehow convinced him I was him!"

"Then that's bad news." Tsubasa rubbed the edge of her nose."Really bad."

"Yeah, I agree." Yosuke nodded, furrowing his brow.

"Why? What does that mean?" Hibiki stared in between them, puzzled.

"It means that whoever Ryuga is is a student there." Yosuke elaborated."Ryuga goes to Kaiser Academy and somehow is aware that at least Ryuki goes there."

"Ryuga goes to our school...?" Hajime's eyes shot wide open."But that...how? You're telling me we've had another Rider right under our noses?"

"It can't be..." Ryoko pursed her lips."Is a student been going around killing all Yakuza? And then he orchestrated a set of events that would lead to the destruction of his school and the deaths of countless people?"

"We don't know enough to draw any possible reasons." Yosuke took a seat on a stool."But I can't think of anything. He said he wishes to be the ultimate good but he just caused the death of innocent students."

"And Gai didn't seem to mind killing them." Hajime felt himself going sick at the thought."Sick bastard..."

"I said it before, but leave that part to me." Yosuke told him."I've already stained my hands before. But you haven't. However...keep in mind what being a Rider is. We're not heroes of justice or anything. We're warriors fighting each other for a wish and stopping others from getting that wish. I told you before I don't mind if you're in this for the fun of it, but you saw how it was today. Or with Ouja. People like them will not hesitate to kill you. So you shouldn't either."

"But we don't have to do that." Hibiki insisted."If we talk then we can-"

"There was no talking to Gai." Hajime grabbed her hand gently, giving her a sad look."There was no convincing him. He was set on killing us."

"But..."

"Not everyone can be redeemed or talked down like Chris or Takeru." Yosuke addressed her."Not everyone will be willing to listen or be understood. One day you'll discover that. It's the painful truth of life. Some people just want to cause pain to others for no reason."

"I...I don't understand..." Hibiki lowered her gaze."I'm sure if we...if we can at least-"

"Tachibana." Tsubasa walked up to her."It's okay. Not everyone can be talked down. But that's how you do things, isn't it? It's working with Chris. So keep doing what your heart tells you. And if your words don't work, then let your fists do the talking."

"I like the sound of that." Genjuro chuckled."And Hajime-kun's idea is a good one. Just try to destroy their decks instead of killing them. It's true that with their decks, their ambitions go as well, but we'd be preventing a needless blood battle."

"And you won't be playing into Odin's game." Tsubasa smiled at Yosuke."Just like how you wanted it. All you have to do is break the rouge Rider's deck."

"Though it's likely that if Gai and Ouja get caught, they'll get the death penalty anyway due to their actions." Genjuro rubbed his chin."We don't have a confirmed number of victims right now...but he did kill a bunch of children before the building collapsed. Those three will be considered enemies to Japan and finding out their identities is of utmost importance."

"Wait...but Ryuga-"

"Ryuga calls himself the ultimate good and he did save your friend but he also murdered people and caused the deaths of high school students. His goal was to get rid of Hajime-kun." Genjuro cut Hibiki off."He's a vigilante. He might be a student, but he also has incredible power with unknown plans. He has to be brought in."

"So our objectives are Ryuga, Gai, and Ouja." Yosuke surmised."We'll keep an eye out. For now, I have to help Ryu-kid to the infirmary."

Yosuke and Hibiki both helped carry a silent Hajime, who had his head lowered and his bangs covered his eyes."I'm sorry..."

"Don't worry about it. Just remember what I told you." Yosuke spared a glance at him."One day you'll have to make that decision on your own. Whether you kill someone or not is up to you. You can't always save everyone. Remember that."

"Yosuke-san, please!" Hibiki pleaded, glaring at him.

"Fine, fine." Yosuke waved her off with a roll of his eyes.

Hajime tried to smile, but he couldn't. He didn't know how to feel. All he knew is that he failed to stop an enemy, even after he had killed his peers.'Am I...a bad person? Was I not angry enough because...I don't care?'

That night, Hajime entered his home, a depressed expression decorating his features as he limped.

"Big bro!"

"Oh, thank goodness you weren't at school when that happened." His Grandma, Kyoko Adachi, rose from the dinner table and rushed to her son. Hajime didn't reciprocate the hug, his head low."What's wrong dear? Why are you limping?"

"All of those kids...I never got along with most of them...but they all died..."

"So far they confirmed about 50 dead students." His grandma pursed her lips."Thank goodness that it was after school and most of them had gone home. Is Kuroiwa-kun okay too?"

"He is..." Hajime flinched, remembering that now he knew of his secret and was not answering his phone."I want to go to my room."

"Okay, sweetheart." Kyoko released him, watching her grandson slowly walk towards his room, locking the door behind him.

"Is he going to be okay?" Setsuna worryingly asked.

"He must be going through a lot." Kyoko grabbed Setsuna's hand."He wants to be left alone for now. Let's let him sort his feelings out. And if he needs us we'll be here for him. Like we always have."

The next day, very early in the morning while the sun wasn't even out yet, Chris and Takeru were sitting on a bench at a train stop waiting for the busses to start their routes. Chris was curled up using Takeru's jacket to cover herself from the cold and the drizzles while the auburn-eyed teen was standing in the middle of the sidewalk, staring at the sky.

"Shit...it's gonna pour soon." Takeru huffed, hand on his hip."Great. At least the bus station has a nice roof."

"Why are we even here so early?" Chris hid under Takeru's huge jacket."I could be sleeping on a semi-comfortable bed but nooo. You wanted to get here early for no reason."

"There is a reason, actually." Takeru folded his arms, frowning as he felt the first drops of rain."We've been in that crappy motel for too long. It's a matter of time before Cypher finds us so we have to keep moving. Besides, it's not that early."

"Takeru, it's 5:30 in the morning." Chris said, laying down on the bench."The buses don't start working until 6! We're here for no reason!"

"Ah...well, that's kind of my fault." He rubbed his nape with a goofy grin."I never broke out of the habit of waking up early for training at the barracks. My bad."

"Ugh, you're such a pain I swear." The lavender-haired girl turned around, giving him her back."You need to act like a normal person now."

"Normal? You sleep in until the afternoon." The Zolda Rider pointed at her accusingly."Like, you literally wake up past noon."

"Yeah, because I love my sleep. And you sometimes wake me up because you make too much noise!" Chris berated him."You start turning every light on and throwing things around! You're not very sensitive, are you?"

"Again, I apologize...bad habits die hard I guess." Takeru gave up, recognizing her point as valid. The rain unceremoniously began, quickly damping the streets.

"Get over here! You'll get sick if you stay in the rain!"

"I'm fine." Takeru scoffed, enjoying the rain on his body."It's relaxing."

"Yeah except when you catch a cold!" Chris continued insisting."Get over here! You're already slowing us down with that broken arm, we don't need you getting sick on top of that."

"Fine..." Takeru relented, jogging over to the bus stop and taking shelter from the rain. He sighed, his clothes damped and his fair obscuring his vision.

"We should have brought an umbrella or something," Chris observed the rain, her gaze fixated on the ground.

"Maybe."

The two remained silent for a brief moment, just enjoying each other's company.

"What's the plan now?"

"Ideally, I would prefer if Ouja gets taken down by those other Riders." Takeru examined his cast. It was itchy and he desperately needed to relieve himself. He grabbed one of his cards, sticking it in and scratching himself."Or...at least for my fucking arm to heal. It would have been better if we didn't get in that fight with Ouja at Fine's mansion."

"Do you think we're safe out here?" Chris looked at him with an expectant expression."We're in the open. We could be attacked at any time. Should I transform?"

"Not for now, the last thing we need is for someone to see you in that skimpy outfit of yours or for you to get sick." Takeru sighed in relief as he scratched the area in his cast."Besides, we're way better out here than in that motel. Had Cypher attacked us in there, we would have had no way to run. Although I doubt he's the kind of guy to kill his targets from afar. He prefers to be close and personal, so we'll see him coming."

"Which is why we need to be prepared." Chris tapped her fingers on the bench.

"That's why I'm keeping an eye out." Takeru, as he said, was eyeing the street but it was becoming difficult to see with the rain."Besides, the chances of him finding us here are slim. We walked a few blocks past the motel."

"Mmmm." Chris hummed, deciding that there was no point in arguing about the matter. Takeru moved closer, lifting her head onto his leg."Hmm?"

"Returning the favor." Takeru nonchalantly said, playing around with her hair.

"Should you really be doing that?" She closed one of her eyes, enjoying the sensation of his hand on her scalp."You only have one arm."

"You don't like it? Want me to stop?"

"I never said that. But I won't admit to it."

Takeru chuckled at her stubbornness, briefly raising his hand and materializing his Magnuvisor. He set it to the side, going back to his endeavor and patting Chris on the head.

"You don't like the rain?" Takeru asked, trying to start a conversation.

"I don't dislike it." Chris shrugged, closing her eyes to rest them."But I prefer to avoid it if I can. Doesn't seem to be a problem for you."

"After spending a while in Russia, the rain seems less of a hassle than fucking snow up your ass." Takeru shivered at the memory."Quite literally too. But rain relaxes me. Helps me think and get to my inner self if that makes sense."

"You meditate?"

"Nah, I tried but my mind is incapable of going quiet. That's why I have to take sleeping pills. And my insomnia."

"Oh, yeah. Remember when you ran out and couldn't fall asleep until really late at night."

'And I would wake up early anyway." Takeru scratched his head."Fine got fed up with me being half asleep the whole day. You should try them. They knock you out instantly."

"Yeah, I'll pass." Chris dismissed the thought."You're twice my size. If that medicine knocks YOU out then it'll kill me."

"Your loss." The orange-haired boy shrugged. His stomach grumbled loudly, prompting him to wince."Shit...should have bought us some breakfast."

"Thank God you didn't!" Chris exclaimed."I'm sick and tired of eating Mcdonald's! Don't you ever get tired of eating junk food?"

"Hey, I lived most of my life either on the battlefield or in Val Verde. Fast food isn't exactly common over there. When I came to Japan, oh boy, did I feel in love with fast food. It was like a whole new world. So many different flavors and textures" A tear escaped his eye."Gosh...I'm so happy burgers and fries exist."

"You'll get fat if you eat too much of that stuff." She poked him on the sides."You're lucky you're still fit."

"Unlike you, fat doesn't go straight to my tits." Takeru retorted, receiving a pull on the cheek."Besides! I have a really fast metabolism. I can't get fat."

"Okay smartass, laugh while you can." Chris huffed indignantly.

"I never said I don't like your appearance..."

'That's not the issue, you moron! You can't say stuff like that out of the blue!"

"Okay, as an apology, we'll get you your favorite food when we get across town." Takeru suggested."I'm honestly a little tired of Mcdonald's too. I want some yakisoba pan right about now. And you?"

"Anpan for me."

"Anpan? Seriously...that's so basic, Chrissy." Takeru stifled his laughter, facing ahead.

"Huh? Who the hell are you calling basic?!" Chris erupted."You're the one who likes yakisoba pan! It's just bread with fried noodles! Besides, that's Japanese. What was your favorite food before?"

"That's an easy one. It has to be the-"

He saw him. Right in front of him. He saw him in the reflection of the store across the street, his purple armor barely visible in the darkness. He was behind the crystal of the bus station, listening in and not making a sound.

'When and how did he even get here?!' Takeru carefully masked his expression, rambling on to make it look like he hadn't noticed and he began tapping on Chris' head a coded message using Morse Code.' Doesn't matter. If I can get Chrissy to understand my message, we should be able to act in time before he or the Noise decide to attack.

"Rice and chicken?" Chris scoffed with a haughty smile."And you were calling me basic?"

Chris frowned after Takeru continued tapping on her head. She was about to complain, but she noticed his rhythm and intervals between each tap.'Behind. Us. Get. Down. Now.'

Not wasting a second, Chris rolled to the side, falling off the bench. Takeru sprang into action, jumping on his feet and shooting the glass behind him. Ouja broke his silence, laughing loudly and blocking Takeru's bullets with his bare hands.

"Chrissy!"

"I know!" Chris yelled, beginning to sing.

"Kilterr Ichaival Tron..."

Chris quickly transformed, displaying her crossbows. On cue, Noise began pouring onto the street, surrounding them. Takeru tossed his visor in the air, taking out his Deck and transforming before it landed back in his hand.

"We have to get out of here now!" Zolda screamed, but Ouja was already on top of him. He kicked him hard in the stomach, sending him skidding on the street.

"Takeru!" Chris cried in concern and rushed to help but a group of Noise blocked her path."Get out of my damn way!"

"Chrissy! Don't let the Noise hurt any innocent people!" Zolda grunted, attempting to block Ouja's punches with his visor."I'll be fine! Just get them out of here!"

"Takeru! TAKERU!" Chris growled, her crossbows switching to Gatling guns and spraying the Noise around her."Get out of my way, goddamn it!"

Swort Vent: Venosaber
ATK: 3000

"Can't you just leave us the hell alone?!" Zolda parried the sword with his gun, but only being able to use one arm was slowing him down. Ouja kept pushing him further and further down an alleyway until they popped out on the other side of the block.

"You'll have to take that up with Fine." Ouja easily dodged the bullets coming at him. He kicked a puddle of water toward Zolda's face, momentarily obscuring his vision as he tried to wipe the dirt off his helmet. Ouja used his free hand to punch at the pressure point in his arm, causing him to drop his visor. Before he could react, Ouja roundhouse kicked him and sent him crashing onto a wall. Zolda kicked a dumpster at Ouja, trash scattering over his body. He clicked his tongue at how filthy he felt, but he had other priorities. Zolda had escaped, but he wasn't going to let him run. Not when he had him.

Zolda ran down the street, holding his arm and keeping his visor close to him. He entered a parking lot, ran inside, and hid behind a car to catch his breath. The bull-theme Rider panted for air when not crying in pain. He had landed on his arm and it felt like the stitches were about to snap.

"Where is he?"

Zolda's eyes widened in utter horror at the sound of the voice quite literally next to him. He leaped away, running up the parking lot and shooting bullets behind him to create a distraction. He ran towards an elevator nearby, going inside and pressing all the buttons and the same time. As the door was about to close, Ouja used Venosaber to pry the door open, grabbing Zolda by the neck and throwing him out. Zolda stumbled over to the railings, using them to stand up. Ouja ran up to him, delivering a powerful double kick that threw him back to the ground, landing on top of a car.

"I hear you breathing down there.." Ouja leisurely approached the railing, staring down at Zolda."Now, don't you panic. It'll all be over soon. And now, to send you crying home to mommy."

"Joke's on you...my mother's dead..." Zolda gave him a defiant look, but Ouja wasn't amused.

"I know." He darkly replied, jumping towards the ground, ready to skewer Zolda.

Freeze Vent

Ouja immediately let go of his sword as it turned to ice, grabbing onto a light post."Not this again...But this time, I'm ready. Come out and play too! I know you're out there!"

Final Vent

Ouja released his hold on the lightpost, swiftly drawing a card from his Deck and activating it. Before he could use it, a white tiger humanoid lunged at him, smacking the card out of his hand. Ouja began to brawl with the monster, dodging its attacks with relative ease. That is until it began to accelerate. Ouja found himself overshadowed in speed by the monster, which was able to grab his arm before lifting him in the air and slamming him to the ground.

The snake-theme Rider quickly jumped back on his feet, ready to continue fighting. But the monster was gone. He looked back at the car and Zolda was also gone.'He got me.'

He glanced up at the sky, watching the first rays of sunlight."Just who is that Rider? And why is he so obsessed with getting in my way?"

Tiger leaped from building to building, holding an unconscious Takeru on his shoulders. He stopped to see a black-haired girl and a blonde boy carrying an unconscious Chris.

'She should be fine with them.' Tiger assessed the situation, choosing to go on his own and take Takeru to a safe place.

"When you called me and said this was an emergency, I came rushing out of my apartment as fast as I could. But...I was not expecting this." Hazuki was now carrying Chris on his back while Miku held the umbrella close to them."What even happened?"

"I don't know." Miku shook her head."I was just going out for a stroll before school started and found her in an alleyway."

"And you wanted to help, I'm sure," Hazuki asked, receiving a nod. The blonde sighed."But...are you sure this is a good idea? We don't even know who she is. She could be trouble."

"But we can't just abandon her there, Haz-kun!" Miku insisted."She'll get sick! And what if her life is in danger? We have to help." She grabbed his arm gently, her features softening."Please, Haz-kun. You're the only person I can count on for this."

"Well...when you put it like that, I suppose it's the right thing to do." Hazuki hesitantly nodded, grimacing as he felt Chris' head on his shoulder."Where are we going? A hospital? It'll be easier to just call an ambulance."

"The lady at Flower is very kind. I'm sure she can help. She seems to be running from something so it'll be best if we take her somewhere that's not a hospital where they can track her down."

Hazuki hummed in response as they continued their walk."You should probably get going to school. Kaiser Academy is long gone so right now all of us who attended there got nowhere to go for the moment. But you're different."

"I don't think I could go to class while leaving this up to you." Miku rejected the idea."I'm the one who got you involved. It would be wrong for me to just leave."

"You're very kind, Miku-chan. The world is lucky to have a kind soul like you." He smiled at the ground."How's everything with Hibiki-chan?"

"I haven't talked to her. I'm not planning to either." Miku pouted, earning a chuckle from Hazuki.

"I'm surprised best friends can fight each other like this. Then again, I never had a close friend like that so I wouldn't know. I take it what she did was bad. I haven't known you for long but to me, you seem like a girl that doesn't get angry easily. So what Hibiki-chan did must have been quite something..."

"She lied. We promised each other we would never lie." Miku frowned."But she lied and kept a secret from me. After telling me all those times she was doing something, she was doing something entirely different. And her life was in danger. What if one day she died because of it and I wouldn't know? I just...It really got to me..."

Hazuki glanced down at Miku, studying her face attentively."Well, Miku-chan, I speak from experience when I say that sometimes people lie to others for their own good. White lies, they call them. They aren't meant to harm the other person, but rather, protect them. Because they don't want the other person to be hurt by the truth. While I don't know what Hibiki-chan did, I can safely say that as the caring and kind-hearted girl that she is, she must have had her reasons to lie to you. Maybe you should sit down with her and hear her out. You could be surprised."

Miku gaped at him, his words resonating within her."I...maybe I'll do that. Perhaps I've been too hard on her. I know Hibiki and you're right, she's too kind and too dumb to tell a lie on purpose."

"Heh. There's the spirit." Hazuki chuckled upon hearing her calling her dumb."But for now, our little friend here needs to get help. And a change of clothes. She's soaked. So is my uniform...great..."

"About your school...I'm sorry. I hope your friends made it out okay."

"I have no friends other than you, Miku-chan. And Hajime-kun. But I'm sure he is fine." Hazuki's hot pink eyes focused on the path in front of them."But you're right. What a tragic event."

Slowly cracking his eyes open, Takeru whined at the pain his whole body was in. He stared at a white ceiling of a rundown room. He was resting on a makeshift bed on the floor, a pillow under his head and another one supporting his broken arm. Upon closer inspection, he noticed the cast was pristine and new.

"You shouldn't get up just yet."

Takeru instinctively reacted, sitting up and searching for his deck. But to his shock, he didn't have it on him."Where...?"

Kamen Rider Tiger entered the room, holding the Zolda deck in his hand."You're awake. Good to know you're okay. Looking for this?"

Before Takeru could protest, Tiger threw him his deck, which he caught with his good hand. He immediately materialized his Magnuvisor, aiming at Tiger.

"Hey, hey. Calm down." Tiger rose his hands."I'm not going to hurt you."

"Yeah? Why should I believe you?"

"Seriously? Man, you got some trust issues, buddy." Tiger sighed."I didn't save you from Ouja, treated your wounds, changed your cast, lay you down to rest, and gave you your deck just so I could kill you. I'm not your enemy."

Slowly, Takeru lowered his gun, realizing he was right. If he had wanted to kill him, he would've done it a long time ago."What do you want? Who are you? And how the hell are you so jacked?"

In effect, Tiger stood tall, possibly above 6 feet in height, and bulging muscles contained in his armor. While Takeru had some muscle on him, he had to admit that this guy took the cake in that department.

"Well, I like to work out. And I'm Kamen Rider Tiger!" He introduced himself, pointing at himself with his thumb."Cool name, huh?"

"That's the lamest name I've ever heard." Takeru deadpanned, causing Tiger to grab his chest, gasping."Tiger? I mean, I know you're supposed to be a tiger but why go for something so bland?"

"Cut me so slack, would you?" Tiger's shoulder slumped, seemingly disappointed by Takeru's blunt statement."Why does everyone tell me that? I wasn't the one who named my power. That was Odin."

"You don't take criticism well, do you?" The Zolda Rider couldn't help but chuckle at Tiger's demeanor.

"A-anyway...I'm here on a mission and a personal mission. As to why I saved you...I did it mainly because one of my objectives involves killing Ouja. And since you and your friend are against Ouja-"

"Oh, shit! Chris!" Takeru sat up too fast, wincing in pain."Chris! She-"

"She's perfectly fine." Tiger interjected, pushing him back onto the mattress."I made sure of it. A high school girl and her friend are taking her somewhere place. Somewhere Ouja won't find them since he's still looking for you. And me. I made sure he knows I'm watching your back. But if you want to go to her right now, I can help."

"No..." Takeru sighed, laying back down."It's better this way. Right now I just keep getting her into trouble. Ouja is after me and all. So it's best if we stay separated for now. But...shit. It..."

"Hurts to be away from a loved one, right?" Tiger knowingly said."I get that. But I understand your reasoning and I respect it. I too have people I care about and know that sometimes you must do things to keep them safe."

"You do?"

"Yup." Tiger placed his fists on his hips."Got three adorable, breathtaking little sisters and two handsome and reliable little brothers. I'm the elder one. You could say I'm the proudest brother in the whole world.."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"I want you to know that I truly sympathize with you and to build a bit of trust between us. And also because I have nothing to hide except for a few things, like my identity." Tiger sat crossed leg in front of him."It's not that I don't trust you, but I really, and emphasis on this, I REALLY should not be here right now. Like I said, I'm here on a mission. You don't happen to know anyone called Gai, right? Kamen Rider Gai?"

"Uh...no? I know a Ryuki, Knight, and Scissors. But that doesn't ring a bell."

"Seriously? You haven't watched the news?"

"Being on the run leaves me little time to catch up to current events." He dryly replied.

Tiger nodded, understanding his position."Well, to keep this short and simple, yesterday, Kaiser Academy was destroyed by Kamen Rider Gai after he got in a scuffle with other Riders. Countless lives were lost and nearby houses were covered in rubble. Gai was also spotted a month ago robbing a bank and is presumed to be the one killing off salarymen in the city."

"Shit...really? Well, I've been out of commission until recently so I'm not that informed of what's been going on regarding the Rider War."

"I'll get to that. But like I was saying, the knowledge of common Riders is beginning to spread like wildfire thanks to him. And it's come to our attention. But my goal is not to take him down for the sake of saving Japan or whatever. No. I was sent here to retrieve the Gai Deck."

"Retrieve?"

"Yes. You see, that Deck...used to belong to my older brother." Tiger's voice lowered, his mask obscuring his emotions but Takeru knew it was a touchy subject."I used to have more siblings. While he was the only blood-related one to me, the others are my family nonetheless. Amadeus, my biological brother, the original Gai, tried to escape with one of my adoptive brothers, TeruTeru."

"Escape? From what?"

"That's classified." Tiger groaned."Long story short, they ran and ran. And we hoped that one day they would come back for the rest of us. But they never came. We knew that something had happened to them. And the day I saw Gai on the news robbing that bank, I knew that my worse fear had come true. My brothers were killed and some bastard took Amadeus' deck and is tainting his legacy. I was given special permission to come here and track him down and execute him and take back the Deck."

"And avenge your brothers..." Takeru muttered."But why are you helping me? I have nothing to do with whatever you're doing."

"Actually, I owe you the opportunity I was given to accomplish my personal mission." Tiger rose two of his fingers."I want to kill Fine."

"Kill Fine...Wait, you know Fine?!"

"Not personally. But I am aware of her." Tiger clenched his fists."She's the reason why my siblings are suffering. And why we lost our freedom. I vowed to one day kill that bitch with my own two hands for putting them through hell. I can't give you the details, but under normal circumstances, I wouldn't be anywhere near her. Like I said, I'm not supposed to even be here and instead be hunting down Gai. But I'm using Gai as a reason to also hunt for Fine. I've been studying you and Chris Yukine as well. I'm aware of your background as well as your falling out with her. I sympathize with both of you. We have similar upbringings, influenced by Fine in some capacity. I want to offer a deal. Help me with Fine and I will help you with Ouja. I will also protect Chris from any harm while you heal. However, if things don't work out, I'm sorry, but I'll have to pull back. If my involvement is noticed, they might get my siblings to pay the price."

"Are you not that confident that we can kill Fine?"

"It's not that I'm not confident." Tiger shrugged."But she's dangerous. You know that better than anyone, right? But that's why I've been in the shadows until I'm 100% sure we can take her down. I can't risk the safety of my brothers and sisters."

"Okay...well...not like I have a choice. I trust you." Takeru grabbed Tiger's hand, shaking it."So what's the plan? How are we doing this?"

"We'll have to team up with the other Riders. The ones with the Symphogear. Our best bet is to rely on safety in numbers. Not to mention that they might be able to help you with your arm. I know my way around medicine but I'm no doctor. And as you see, I have no proper equipment. Then we take down Ouja and I take down Gai. Then we go after Fine after relaying whatever information you have on her since you personally know her. After that, we'll make sure she dies. Permanently."

"I can work with that." Takeru laughed at how simple it sounded."But...will it be alright? To trust the other Riders? I mean, they are with the government..."

"I won't lie...I know you were a mercenary in Val Verde and collaborated with Fine. So I don't know what will happen to you and Chris. But if you help and vouch for her, you might be able to save her. Either that, or you can keep running. But will you be okay to run the rest of your life?"

"No...I want to give Chris a chance at a new, happy life." Takeru lowered his gaze."And if we keep running, she will never find true peace. So I'll do it. If I can at least guarantee her safety, that will be all I ever need. I'll surrender myself and take all the blame if I must."

"I love that confidence." Tiger grinned."Fight to the death for those who are dear to you. I'm sure we'll get along just fine. Oh, one condition though..."

"Yes?" He blinked, a little nervous to know his condition.

"Our alliance is only temporary." Tiger stated with a cold voice."After this is said and done, we'll go back to fighting each other. I too have a wish. As well as a promise to keep. And for my siblings, I will fight the whole world to fulfill that promise."

Takeru was silent, letting the words sink in. He wasn't messing around."Fine by me. I won't make it easy, though."

"Of course not. You're also fighting for someone."