Reviews:
Caballero lector rojo: Me alegra que te haya gustado el capitulo. Espero que disfrutes de la temporada.
Guest DCDGojira: Glad you liked it.
Tigracho: Yes, I'm focusing on the show's original plotline where people are struggling to face their problems and adding more to the mix. Like Hajime and finding how the truth about his dad and whatnot. Also, Bragard's secrets will be revealed soon. So to not spoil I can't say much. Right, Takeru and Chris are going to have some troubles as any other couple would and if you know what happens to Chris this season, they'll need to work together to overcome their struggles. As for your last point...Raiden was being a goofball lol.
lordri25may2001: Yes, I thought about what you said, and yeah. Plus, I have something in mind for Bragard being a kid and all. Yes, Bragard and Carol's relationship is complex. We'll see more of their interactions. Also, Yosuke's dad is dead. He was the first Knight. I'll keep in mind your suggestions. Wow, you really like Batman, huh?
Nexus240: Yup, you got it. This season is all about the Ignite Module and Survive.
Slimereader11: Glad you liked it. And thank you for all your suggestions so far.
Chapter 47
The Truth Underneath Deceit
Inside Carol's base, Carol sat comfortably on her throne, watching Garie transfer memories to Micha, and their final Autoscorer came to life. However, she instantly dropped to her knees with a groan.
"All done," Garie announced, eyeing the blue-haired Autoscorer who was leaning against the wall from afar. Unlike the rest of them, he wasn't standing in a fixed position like a statue."Enjoyed the show?"
"The only time you're tolerable is when you're kissing someone. Nice." Damian scoffed, earning a growl from Garie.
"And what about you, Mr. Human? Aren't you hungry?" Garie taunted."You going to go off and eat human food again?"
"If you wanna go, we can go right now, hmmm." Damian unfolded his arms, glaring daggers at Garie.
"Is that any way to talk to your dear sister?" Garie pouted innocently."You're so mean~."
"You're no sister of mine." The boy muttered in disdain."I'm a human. You're not."
"Oh, yes. Of course." Garie shrugged with a smug smile."Because the grey skin, shark teeth, gills, and the tail you keep tugged around your waist and keep it hidden under all those clothes totally give you away for a normal human being."
"You shut your fucking mouth-"
"Are you done with your bickering?" Carol asked, unamused."Good. Let's assess the situation. Currently, we finally managed to get all of our Autoscorers working. We can move on to the next phase."
Micha let out another groan, looking worse for wear.
"What's wrong, Micha?"
"I'm...so hungry I can't move..." The red-haired Autoscorer sat on her podium, barely able to move.
"Garie." Carol glanced at the female water-themed Autoscorer.
"Right, right. It's my job, after all." Garie did a quick bow.
"No need to rush things." Bragard made his presence known, walking into the main room."We are doing magnificently. We damaged their Symphogears and their Decks."
"Hmph! Not all of them." Damian reminded him.
"Patience is a virtue, Damian." Bragard wagged his finger."Isn't that right, Zeke?"
"You are so right, Lord Bragard." Zeke nodded enthusiastically.
"My, aren't you the most impatient out of all of us?" Phara teased with a sly smile, prompting the other green Autoscorer to blush.
"Speaking of that..." Garie wagged her eyebrows at Zeke."I didn't know the Master gave you a function to take memories like us."
"Huh?"
"She means that you kissed Zolda." Damian snickered.
"Ara, is that true?" Phara gasped."I didn't know you had those kinds of interests, Zeke. I'm so happy for you."
"No! It was a distraction! A distraction, damn it!"
"In his defense, he does like putting on a show. Almost as most as me." Leiur came in for his help."I wouldn't be surprised if he did it for the theatrics."
"Even so, why?" Phara didn't seem convinced."You should have been stronger than Zolda. Why didn't you just beat him?"
"Maybe Leiur does have a good point." Bragard joined the conversation, hands behind his back."Zeke does tend to enjoy playing around with his food."
"I wonder where he got that from, hmmm," Damian asked rhetorically, prompting the prince to chuckle.
"Anyway, enough about that." Bragard glanced over his shoulder at Carol.
"Did you go under maintenance like I told you?"
"I did. I'm as good as new." Bragard planted his fists on his hips."So, anything else we should know?"
"Elfnein and her little toy got away," Leiur informed them.
"That's fine." Carol waved her hand dismissively."It's of no consequence to us now."
"Is it not? Didn't they take a bunch of stuff from your safe, Mama?" Damian turned to the blonde girl."Hmph! Also, you know what's inside Tobias, right, hmmm?"
"He can't use that for long or it'll kill him." Bragard said, checking out his nails without interest."It won't do him any good."
"I guess so. And besides, I guess it doesn't matter." Damian huffed, glancing at the ceiling."We still have those cards. So it doesn't matter."
"Ah...well...about that..." Zeke chuckled sheepishly."They kinda poisoned me...and stole the cards."
"THEY WHAT?! WHAT THE FUCK!" Damian stomped over to Zeke, grabbing him by the collar of his shirt."What do you mean they stole them?! You were supposed to guard them!"
"They poisoned me! That shit hurts, yo!" Zeke snarled, his tail smacking Damian's head, prompting him to release him."Try to get a shit ton of poison in you and see how much you like it."
"We're fucked, hmmm." Damian cursed, gritting his teeth."Did anyone at least make some copies?"
"Relax." Bragard sighed in exasperation."You don't need those cards, Damian. You both are the pinnacle of Kamen Riders. You saw with your own eyes how they stood no chance against you."
"Can't you make more of those cards? We'll need them when we face off against Odin." Carol asked.
"I can't make those cards. Even for someone as gifted and talented as I am, it is impossible. I could have made copies of them, but I did not anticipate them being stolen like that. Elfnein did surprise me. Regardless, even if they have them, all we have to do is defeat them and take them back."
"Yeah, he's right." Zeke grinned."We just gotta defeat the remaining Riders they have."
"Yes, but that can wait." Bragard walked up to them. "Let us go."
"Going somewhere?" Carol inquired, resting her chin on her palm.
"Yes. We must gather energy from the other Riders as well." Bragard informed her."And see if we can strike a deal. It'd be a shame to not put them to good use. Let's go, boys."
Damian frowned, looking conflicted.
"Relax, Damian. You worry too much."Bragard stood on his tippy toes, patting him on the head."I believe in your boys' strength. That is why I'm not worried. Let them get as many advantages as they can. Against you, the strongest Riders, they stand no chance."
"You really trust us that much...?"
"Of course I do!" Bragard guffawed, walking past them."You two are my Royal Guards, after all. I trust you with my life as well as handling any potential threat."
Damian clenched his fist, glancing back at Carol, who simply shrugged in return."I see...Thank you, Pops..."
"Good work has to be rewarded, I always say." Bragard smiled."Now...let's set up our trap, shall we?"
A day after the attack against S.O.N.G, everyone had been rushed into the hospital. Currently, Hajime was sitting in his hospital bed, staring out the window with a blank expression. It had been a long night, that much was clear. He wasn't particularly injured, but his pride had taken a huge blow after his defeat against Bragard.
"Hajime-kun, if something is bothering you, you can tell me." Hibiki, who was sitting next to him on a chair, grabbed his hand."I can tell you're troubled. It's written all over your face. Is it about your family?"
"It's just...I don't know. I feel like my whole world was flipped upside down." He muttered, leaning back onto his pillow.
"You knew they were there. That's what was bothering you. How did you know?"
"One of my classmates is in the chess club with Chao-Xing." Hajime said, taking a deep breath."One day she didn't show up to school so she asked me if I could accompany her to deliver some club materials to her house."
"She knew you guys were related?" Hibiki asked.
"Yeah. So that's how I knew where she lived. It struck me as odd." Hajime shifted his gaze over to Hibiki, his lips thinning."Back when my mom went to the Liang Compound, they were located on the outskirts of the city. A huge place that housed all of my relatives. So it was weird when I found out Chao-Xing was living in that apartment complex. But I didn't think much of it."
"Because you don't like her." She deduced, receiving a scoff in return.
"Like her? I despise her and all the rest." Hajime scornfully spat."They turned our backs on us just because we weren't part of them...just like my dad, they tossed us aside like nothing. Whatever happened to them...I don't know. But I want answers. Bragard wants the Liang bloodline wiped out and for some reason, he knows my dad. He said my dad betrayed him. Something is going on that we just can't see yet."
"Do you hate them...?" Hibiki asked with a soft tone, squeezing his hand."Why don't you try talking to them? Maybe you can-"
"There is no talking to them." Hajime closed his eyes."It's too late. What good does that do now? They don't know where my dad is. And-"
"Pardon the intrusion."
At the door stood Genjuro, wheeling Huan in his wheelchair inside."You okay, Hajime-jun?"
"Commander..." Hajime's eyes then landed on his uncle, frowning.
"Thank you for saving us, Lingyun." Huan expressed his gratitude, bowing slightly in his position."We are alive because of you."
"It's Hajime. Not Lingyun."
"Right." The man chuckled."I apologize. I wasn't aware you preferred to go with your Japanese name."
"Kind of hard not to when my Chinese side of the family is composed of a bunch of fucking assholes." He quipped.
"Hajime-kun!" Hibiki gasped in shock.
"It's okay, young lady." Huan waved her off."His anger is justified."
"Chao-Xing is in stable condition" Genjuro informed them."She lost a lot of blood, but she'll make it. She's a tough one. Her arm, however..."
"Losing a limb is better than losing your life, believe me." Huan pointed at the stump in his leg."Again, thank you for saving us."
"Let's make one thing clear." Hajime narrowed his eyes."I didn't save you out of the kindness of my heart. I did it because it was the right thing to do. But for all I care, you should have burnt in that fire."
"Hajime-kun!" Hibiki cried sternly, standing up from her chair."You can't say that! He's your uncle for crying out loud!"
"Could have fooled me." Hajime scoffed, folding his arms."Sunshine...please, just stay out of this..."
"No! You're my boyfriend and it's my responsibility to keep you on the right path." Hibiki sat on the edge of the bed, resting her hand on his shoulder to support him."I know you'd do the same for me. So don't say such mean things."
"I..." Hajime sighed in defeat, smiling at her."Okay. I'll do it for you."
The raven-haired young man turned to his uncle."It's time you explain everything. From start to finish."
"That's why I'm here." Huan nodded, looking up to the Commander behind him."There's much to tell you. So let's start when the day everything changed for our clan. The day the Liang family was brought to extinction."
Meanwhile, Kirika and Shirabe were in their own rooms, begrudgingly eating the food that Andreas had brought them.
The green-haired boy noticed their scowls and decided to speak up."Is the food too cold? Should I go heat it up?"
"No, no. It's okay, Andreas." Kirika's frown turned into a lopsided smile."We just don't like hospital food-desu."
"It's not the worse thing we've eaten, though..." Shirabe admitted, finding herself somewhat enjoying the stale food."But I would much prefer a home-cooked meal made by Jades-nii-chan..."
"I sure hope he's okay..." Kirika set her spoon down, feeling crestfallen.
"Maria said they're on their way back home." Shirabe said."They're bringing him and Yosuke-san in a private jet and are constantly being monitored by doctors."
"But they'll be fine!" Andreas beamed with pure innocence in his eyes."They're so strong! I know they won't let something like this bring them down!"
"But if they're that strong..." Shirabe muttered.
"Then the person who defeated them is even stronger." Kirika finished the grim thought."We're lucky we got out of there okay."
"I wouldn't say okay." Andreas crossed his arms with a pout."They have to keep you monitored in case there's backlash from using your Symphogears without LINKER."
"You worry too much." Kirika groaned, tossing the magazine she was riding on the floor."You're starting to sound like Raiden-desu!"
"Speaking of Raiden, I wonder where he is." Andreas rubbed his chin.
Shirabe sighed."Probably talking to that girl we rescued."
"Really? Still? He just brought her breakfast today." Andreas arched a brow."Maybe they assigned him to watch her?"
"Or maybe he's just being extra careful and watching over her so she's not some type of spy." Kirika offered her theory."Or just making friends."
"I'd like to think so too, but..." Shirabe trailed off."He's never been good with people he just meets. Usually, he's very standoffish and aggressive. "
"Well, he's trying to change." Andreas defended him, shrugging."He's been doing his best to act better toward new people. I think he's making some progress."
"That is true." Shirabe nodded in agreement."I wonder what's going through his head..."
On cue, Raiden opened the door to the room, dragging his feet and heading to Shirabe's bed."Move your legs."
Shirabe arched a brow but didn't question him, moving her legs to give him space. He immediately slumped on the bed, feeling a pair of legs rest on his back, which prompted a glare from the boy."It's my bed. I have a right to be comfortable."
"Fine...Whatever" He begrudgingly accepted, huffing."But don't move your thighs too much. My back is ticklish."
"Is there something the matter, Raiden?" Kirika asked the bespectacled boy."You look upset."
"Nothing." He pouted, burying his face in the mattress."Just me being a moron and an idiot. That's all. Now stop asking."
The siblings glanced at each other, shrugging but choosing to respect his wishes.
Tsubasa stared through the small window that showed the inside of the small ward of the jet they were boarding. Both of her friends were still unconscious, but Yosuke was drifting in and out of consciousness now and then. She hadn't seen him this wounded in...well, ever.
Maria, on the other hand, wasn't lucky enough to think that. She was used to seeing Jades beat up and taking all the pain for them in the past. She sat on the floor next to Tsubasa, hugging her knees.
"They'll be fine. Fortunately, their wounds aren't fatal. Merely superficial, but..." Tsubasa trailed off, clenching her hands.
"Jades-nii and Yosuke...And you. You guys fought so bravely, and I-"
"I'll stop you right there." Tsubasa sat beside her with a stern expression."You had no Gear. What were you going to do? Attack them? Maria, you're strong, but you saw the outcome of the fight. We all lost. Even if you had a Gear, the outcome would have been the same."
"But still...I feel useless..."
"If you feel useless..." Tsubasa stared at her hands with a small smile."Imagine how I feel. How the others feel. We fought with everything had and still lost. My Symphogear is broken and their Decks are busted. The guys fought so bravely to protect us."
"Tsubasa...Sorry, I had no idea." Maria sighed, a sense of guilty invading her."I guess...I get how you feel. Having the ability to fight and still not making a difference. I just..."
"I know how frustrated you feel. There was a time when I couldn't fight and was forced to stay off the battlefield." Tsubasa reminisced on her dreadful time in the hospital all those months ago."I had no choice but to wait on the sidelines while the others fought. For a whole month. But I had to trust in my teammates. My friends. The same way you are now. So trust me when I understand how you feel. So for now, we have to believe in the others."
"Yeah...it just worries me." Maria bit her lower lip."If there are enemies strong enough to put you guys out of commission, can the others back home stand a chance...?"
"Yukine and Sakamoto lost their powers as well." Tsubasa chewed on her thumb."That leaves Tachibana, Adachi, Amaterasu, and Kagatsuchi. We'll have to believe in them."
Inside a hospital room in the same building Hajime and the others were, Chris sat next to Takeru's unconscious form, watching over him. She held his hand tightly, worried sick beyond belief.
"Why do I always have to see you beat up, Takeru..." Chris muttered, fighting the urge to cry."Why am I always unable to protect you...?"
"Wait...what do you mean...?" Hajime gaped, eyes shooting wide open."Extinction...? What do you-"
The door slammed open, nearly hitting Genjuro who was standing close by. Kyoko and Setsuna entered the room, with the young girl frantically pleading with her grandmother.
"Grandma, please. You're making a scene."
"Ma! Setsuna!" Hajime yelped, covering himself with his sheets."Ma, I can explain-"
Kyoko easily snatched away the covers, grabbing her grandson's ear."When were you going to tell me about your whole "part-time" job? I thought you'd eventually tell me, but no. I had to get a call from your boss that you were injured after not coming home last night. Again!"
"K-Kyoko-san, hi..." Hibiki waved shyly.
Her stern expression quickly shifted to a happy one."Hibiki-chan! So nice to see you. I hope my foolish grandson didn't let you get hurt."
"Wait...Kyoko-san, you knew?"
"About you kids fighting off the forces of evil and whatnot? Of course, dear." Kyoko turned back to face Genjuro."I figured that out quite easily too. A major clue was the expensive phone you gave my child half a year ago. The sudden interest in working out, the disappearances, the bruises, that weird metal box he keeps under his bed along with those magazine-"
"Okay, okay!" Hajime waved his hands frantically, his face turning red."I get it. You knew. But why didn't you...you know..."
"Because I know how you are. I know that no matter what I said I wouldn't be able to dissuade you. You wouldn't want to abandon those wonderful friends you made." Kyoko sat next to Hibiki, reaching out to rub her grandson's cheek."I've always worried about the times you got into fights at school. Not because you fought, but because of the reason. And now, you have a reason." Her gaze fell on Hibiki."This wonderful. I hate admitting it, but you are as romantic as your father."
"Ma...about dad, I-"
"I was just about to explain." Huan interrupted, clearing his voice."Good afternoon, Kyoko Adachi-san."
"Huan." Kyoko sneered at the sight of the man."You better have a good reason for being here, you slimy rat."
"Adachi-san, please." Genjuro tried to diffuse the situation."Things have...gotten difficult. He was just about to tell us."
"Tell you what? About how all his family is dead?" Kyoko scoffed.
"Jesus, Ma..." Setsuna gaped."Why are you wishing death on him like that?"
"You kids might not remember it, since it happened so long ago." Kyoko stood from the bed, hands behind her back as she paced around the room."2 years after the disappearance of Hazama...2 years after we went to their compound for help in locating your father. One night, the whole family...women, children, elderly. All of them were found dead."
"Yes, I heard about that incident." Genjuro nodded."All of them were found dead. Massacred. It was...bad. I don't want to describe it to you, kids."
"But for those of us who lived through that hell..." Huan closed his eyes, chuckling dryly."It never leaves you. Yes. It happened in the blink of an eye. Not even I know fully what happened. But that day...the devil himself showed up on our doorstep."
"The devil...Do you mean..."
"I was on taking our son, Wei, for a walk to the shrine. When I started hearing screams all around. At first, I thought there was something minor going on. Like kids playing games. Or something." Huan took a deep, shaky breath."Or so I wanted to believe. Then I saw those eyes. Those blood-colored eyes. That smile. It still haunts my dream. It was something out of the depths of hell. That monster...because that's what he is. A heartless devil...Killing...slaughtering...tearing my family apart. I tried to run, but he cut off my leg. But he didn't finish me off...he continued on his path of destruction. I eventually lost consciousness due to the blood loss. When I came to...everyone was gone. Except me, Wei, and Chai-Xing. My wife died protecting our daughter...hiding her from that demon..."
"Only three survivors." Genjuro repeated."And the incident was swept under the rug, I presume."
"It was labeled as mass hysteria. We were quite infamous but people misjudged us, thinking we were some kind of cult. And at the time, we were deciding who was going to become the next head of the family. So they thought we went mad with lust for power and killed each other. There was...no evidence of someone else having been there. Bragard left no trace behind. All the footage from nearby CCTVs was somehow deleted. Nothing behind. So for all the public knew, we ended up killing each other."
"Bragard did say he wanted you to live your lives in fear...fear that he was going to kill you one die..." Hajime recited, feeling sick upon remembering the crimson-eyed boy's words."But why? Why does he want to kill the Liang family?"
"You know the answer too." Huan's gaze leveled with Hajime's."Your father...my brother, Joon-Gi, or as how he names himself now, Hazama, did something to him."
"Right...he said betrayal."
"Does that mean...Hajime-kun's dad personally knows Bragard and Carol?" Hibiki pondered aloud.
"I do not know of this Carol you speak of, but Joon-Gi was likely in cahoots with that monster. He must have done something to evoke his wrath...subsequently giving him the desire to wipe us all out of existence." Huan looked into his nephew's eyes."I know you may not believe me when I say this, but I genuinely cared about my brother."
"Don't give me that bullshit." Hajime snorted."You left him to die."
"I had no choice." Huan grabbed his head, grimacing."Those who don't follow the family's code are vanished from it. I pleaded with him to reconsider. But he was deeply in love with your late mother, Kaoru Adachi."
"My mom...so you're saying that..."
"I'll admit that Hazama was in love with my Kaoru." Kyoko, who had been silent until then, finally found her voice."But he still abandoned his family. On top of that, you know more, right? Like him having an affair."
"An affair...?" Setsuna blinked.
"I didn't want to tell you, kids, this, but...yes. Your father had an affair with another woman." Kyoko begrudgingly revealed."He had another family. I...didn't know who they were at the time. But we knew. He tried hiding it for so long. That bastard...he had already a child by the time Kaoru gave birth to Hajime."
"Ma...are you sure...?" Hajime looked over to Setsuna, who looked as puzzled as he was."I mean...these are some pretty wild claims..."
"Yes. I wish I was wrong. But he admitted it." Kyoko sighed, avoiding Hajime's gaze."He said it was...complicated. Whether that's true or not I don't know. But he said he met her on one of his previous expeditions while he was still dating your Mom."
"I can attest to that." Huan chimed in."I talked to him on the phone one day after he married your mom. We met him in the city to catch up. Got some drinks and got comfortable. He...confessed to me that he should have been expelled from the clan much sooner. 3 years earlier, he said. He didn't give me the details, but...he said he regretted it. Because he had a loving girlfriend back at home. He said it just...happened. He said that it happened out of nowhere. Both of them had too much to drink. And it just...happened."
"So he kept it a secret." Genjuro hummed in thought."So not only did he keep his relationship with Kaoru a secret until he got married, but also an affair that he claimed wasn't his fault."
"I knew he was dating Kaoru and told me to keep it a secret. That he would want to tell our father at a later day and see if he could get his blessing. He must have been feeling guilty for that affair."
"Did he...have another child?" Setsuna slowly asked as if she were afraid of the answer.
"He did." Kyoko nodded, scowling."He said he had to take responsibility for his mistakes. That he couldn't let a child grow up without a father for a simple mistake. But he also loved Kaoru and wanted a family with her. So he lived a double life. Going from household to household, being a husband and a father to two different families."
"Do you know who they are? You said you didn't know who they were before, but..."
"I do." Kyoko shifted her gaze over to her grandson with a sad expression."The mother is dead. As for the child..."
"Kyoko-san...?" Hibiki stood up, soothing rubbing the old woman's back as she began to shed tears.
"So we have a sibling?" Setsuna's lips curved upward."Did you hear that Haji? We have another sibling-"
"That's not good!" Hajime snapped, hissing."He has another child?! And the mother is dead?! And he doesn't even live with the kid?! He fucking abandoned everyone that depended on him! How do you know that, Ma? Who are they? Maybe they know where my dad is and-"
"He doesn't know." Kyoko responded dejectedly."I did some digging, and asked some friends...and I can safely tell you that that boy has no connections with Hazama anymore. Hazama vanished without a trace."
"So he didn't run away with his other family..." Huan's gaze fell on the floor."Rather, abandoned both families...because Bragard is looking for him? Maybe he wants to bring him out of hiding by killing our clan. No...that can't be..."
"How come?" Genjuro arched a brow.
"It's not just the main family that was eradicated. But also people like my brother, who branched off to do their thing. Also, our families back in China. Now that I think about it, it all started there. We stopped receiving calls from them and all communication ceased. We were going to send some people over there to investigate, but the night before that..."
"So Bragard, for reasons we don't know, was somehow betrayed by my father. A father who had a second life with another family...and he refused to abandon either of them...because he thought it was his responsibility...?"
"That...sounds like you," Hibiki commented.
"He does share that with Hazama." Kyoko chuckled bitterly."That's the only thing he left him. His perseverance to go through anything and come out on top. His sense of loyalty."
"No...no...that can't be right!" Hajime shook his head in pure denial."He abandoned us! He left us! He didn't even show up when my mom died! Where was he when I got sent to therapy?! Where is he now?!"
"Calm down, Hajime-kun." Genjuro said."I know how you feel, but right now is not the time to lose your cool like that."
"But...but he can't...I refuse to believe I'm anything like him. I would never abandon my friends or family like that! No matter what! Ever!"
"We don't know the full scope of the story yet." Genjuro pointed out."There are still many unknowns. And the only way we can get answers to those questions is by going to the source."
"Bragard." Hajime gritted his teeth."He said...he said he knew where my dad was, back at the Frontier."
"But that doesn't make any sense." Hibiki frowned."Why would he do such terrible things if he knew where he was? Wasn't he doing that to bring him out into the open?"
"Not necesarrialy..." Huan swallowed the lump in his throat."Remember this is Bragard we're talking about. He's either doing this for fun or for another reason. To him, killing off innocents and mentally torturing them is normal."
"Then I have to deal with Bragard." Hajime stated with a solemn look."I have to get those answers. I have to know the truth."
"Hajime-kun, Bragard, and Carol seemed to be the leaders of their organization. Yosuke-kun, Jades-kun, Takeru-kun, Tsubasa, and Chris-kun were all defeated by their underlings. Yosuke-kun, who is our strongest fighter, was utterly defeated. If you want to take on the head, then you'll have no choice but to surpass Yosuke-kun. Do you think you can do that?"
"Surpass Yanagi-san..." Hajime breathed, a wistful smile forming on his face."When I first started here, I stood no chance against him. He's always been ahead of me, despite my fighting prowess. But...if I have to, then I'll do it. I'll get stronger and surpass him. I'll protect my family and my friends."
"I know you can do it, nephew. I know you can avenge our clan-"
"It's not about the Liangs I'm concerned about." The hazel-eyed boy cut him off harshly."It's none of my business. I'm doing this for my friends and family. And according to you people, you don't consider us family."
"I see...very well..."
"Absolutely not." Kyoko marched over to Hajime's bedside, pushing Genjuro away."Hajime, I want you to stop doing this."
"Stop? Stop what?"
"This. This...Kamen whatever business. I was okay with you fighting the Noise but...this? Things are way out of hand for you. Someone is actively trying to hunt you down." Kyoko shook her head, tears glistening in her eyes."You need to leave it alone. Forget about chasing after your dad. Forget about the Liangs. Just...come back home with us..."
"Ma, I can't-"
"I lost my husband. My daughter." She said, tears streaming down her face as she scowl."I will not lose any more of my family. You and Setsuna aren't just my grandkids. You are my children. I've raised you as best as I could after your excuse of a father left and disease took my daughter...I don't want to...I can't...My heart can't take losing any more of my precious children...you're all I have left...I can't bury another child..."
The old woman broke into a sob, falling to her knees. Setsuna and Hajime immediately rushed to her side along with Genjuro, helping her up.
Huan observed with a sympathetic expression on his face. He also had only his two children left to call family. He understood how she felt.
"Grandma!" Setsuna cried, hugging her tightly."You do the best you can for both of us! We love you so much! You're our mom and dad put together!"
"She's right." Hajime smiled, wiping away her tears with his thumb.
"Oh, dear...you shouldn't be out of bed..." Kyoko sniffed, grabbing her grandchildren's cheeks."My two babies..."
"Ma..." Hajime grabbed her hand gently, closing his eyes."I'm sorry. But...I want to fight. No...I have to fight. If I don't fight, I won't survive."
"What do you mean...?" Kyoko nearly fell on her back had Genjuro not caught her."Can't you just...give your power to someone else?"
"Kyoko-san, please take a seat." Genjuro helped the poor woman to a chair, grabbing her shoulder in case she were to pass out.
"Genjuro-kun...why can't my son just come home...? Why can't he quit? Is the government forcing him to fight?" Kyoko wept, staring into the red-haired man's eyes."Is my son just a child soldier?! What if he dies?! If he stays, he'll come to regret this!"
"It's not that, Ma." Hajime replied, a solemn look on his face."When I first started this, I used to think this was just a game. That everything was like those animes where everything was sunshine and rainbows. But it's not. We've lost friends and suffered a lot. We faced death and saved the world. I'm doing this because...because I want to make a difference." He shifted his gaze to Hibiki."And because it's the right thing to do."
"Hajime-kun..." Hibiki muttered.
"But this time, I don't have a choice. I don't know why you won't tell me about who our supposed half-brother is. What other secrets dad kept. I don't know what's my dad's connection with Bragard. Or what he did that made Bragard decided to kill all the Liangs. Or what made Dad abandon both of his families. But I can't stop here. Because I still don't know anything! And I want to at least know the truth about my own life!"
The half Liang took a deep breath before continuing."Not to mention as you said, Bragard has a personal interest in me because I'm my Dad's immediate son, and is going to come after me. And if that's the case, Setsuna is also a target. He will find us. No matter where we run. So all I can do is fight. If you win, you live. If you lose, you die. If you don't fight, you can't win. So that's my choice. I'm going to get stronger and protect my family. And reveal the truth about everything."
Kyoko was speechless, as the rest of the people in the room.
'Despite everything, he has Liang's blood cursing through his veins...' Huan marbled.'If you were here, you'd be proud of him...brother...'
"Out of all things you could have inherited from your parents, you got your dad's determination and your mom's bravery...But...if it's about protecting us, I know there's nothing I can say that will change your mind." Kyoko sighed, a small smile forming on her lips."Genjuro-kun...will you watch over him? Over all of them?"
"That's my job." Genjuro chuckled, rubbing his nape."All the kids are like my children too. I'd do anything to protect them."
"And I'll protect him, no matter what." Hibiki gave her a thumbs up."Don't worry! I'm a dutiful girlfriend!"
Kyoko gave them a warm smile before turning to face her grandson."Then...are you sure you want to do this?"
"Yeah. Don't worry. We've faced worse before." Hajime smirked."This is just another threat that we'll take down together. We'll go back to normal soon."
"Alright...but I'll be in constant contact with you, okay?"
"I'll always answer."
With that, Kyoko brought her grandchildren for a hug, kissing each of them on their cheeks. She grabbed Setsuna's hand, exiting the room and waving Genjuro goodbye.
Genjuro wheeled Huan out of the room, looking over his shoulder."Get well soon so we can begin your training."
"I will."
With that, only the young couple remained in the room. Hajime yawned, heading back to his bed and laying down."So...now that we got my problems out of the way...what's got you down in the slums?"
"Huh? N-no, I'm fine-"
"Come on, Hibiki-san." Hajime patted the space on the bed next to him."We're a couple. Trust is supposed to be two-way."
"Well..." Hibiki meekly sat on the bed next to him, as he wrapped an arm around her, bringing her closer."It's just...I wish I didn't have to use my Gear for violence. Our powers should be to help people, not fighting..."
"So you want to talk them down? I don't know if Bragard can be talked down..."
"Carol-chan was crying...and I wanted to know why. She's clearly troubled. And I want to know if there's a way to help her. She seemed close to Bragard, so...maybe if we can talk her down, she can talk to Bragrad too...Is that bad?"
"Sunshine..." Hajime gently kissed her on the cheek, earning a surprised squeal from her."Of course, it's not. That's just how you are. But you have to understand that not everyone can be talked down. Not everyone is going to be willing to listen to words alone. Like Fine or Dr. Ver. Some people just...can't be redeemed. I'm not saying don't try. Go ahead, do it. We've made friends out of enemies before, after all. But if it comes down to it, we'll have to fight."
"I understand, Sunny." Hibiki reciprocated the gesture, pecking him on his cheek."It's complicated, isn't it? I'm sorry...I didn't mean to make this about me too..."
"Never apologize to bring your concerns to my attention." Hajime lightly chided her."I love you. And any problem you have is my problem too."
"Aw..." Hibiki smiled tenderly."Thank you. I'm so lucky to have you by my side."
"It's too bad we didn't meet all those years ago..." Hajime trailed off, furrowing his brow."Maybe...I could have prevented you from being bullied by those people...And you wouldn't have had to be alone."
"The past is in the past. We have each other now and that's what's important." Hibiki said, hogging his arm to herself."I should get going. You're probably-" A yawn escaped her lips before she could finish her sentence.
"I think we're both tired. Why don't you stay here with me? The bed is big enough."
"W-w-w-what?!" Hibiki's face turned a deep shade of crimson."B-b-but we can't do that!"
"We'll just take a nap. It's not like we'll do anything inappropriate." Hajime shrugged nonchalantly, a teasing grin gracing his features."Unless...you want to? I didn't think you'd be so bold, Hibiki-san."
"H-H-Hajime-kun!"
"I'm just kidding." Hajime chuckled."But for real. We would just be sleeping next to each other. But I won't force you to do anything you don't want. So if you want to go, feel free."
"No!" Hibiki yelled, suddenly covering her mouth after realizing how loud she had been."I-I mean...I don't mind...I am pretty sleepy."
The cream-haired girl lay down on the bed next to Hajime as he rolled over to face her. They both smiled at each other, embracing in a warm hug.
"I wish we could stay like this forever..." Hibiki cooed."Are you growing out your hair by the way?"
In effect, Hajime's hair was slightly longer than before. It now reached past his ears"Oh. No, I just haven't had the chance to get a haircut." Hajime closed his eyes, resting his chin on her head."One day, all of the fighting will be over. Everything we're going through right now...it will be worth it. We'll make it worth it."
"We will." Hibiki agreed, nuzzling against his chest. Soon enough, the girl was fast asleep in his arms, much to Hajime's surprise.
"It's more of a matter of what he did to himself." Bragard stared at him coldly."And what he did to me. That's why I swore to wipe out his entire family. One by one. Until there's no one left. You see, Boy Wonder, I was also hurt by your father. In a way, you and I are siblings, united by the same pain."
"I was expecting more of a fight out of you, Boy Wonder. You're supposed to be a savior, no? Or so I was told."
"I wonder..." Hajime pulled Hibiki closer to him, squeezing her sides."I wonder what he meant by that..."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, an unusual pair walked through the busy streets of Tokyo, holding various bags of food. A young girl with short lilac hair wearing a Lydian school uniform for girls walked next to a young adult with short dark hair wearing dark camo sweatpants, a black shirt, and a yellow jacket.
"Why the hell do we have to keep going out to eat?" Terunosuke complained, annoyed at having two carry two bags of sandwiches."I'm not too fond of Subway but these guys love it for some reason. And why the hell does Albedo-kun eat so many footlongs? I got him like 4. He eats like a pig and yet he's as skinny as he is."
"Probably his metabolism." Chiaki shrugged, her eyes fixed on her phone."Why are you even complaining? He's paying for the penthouse we got. He's loaded."
"Maybe." Terunosuked clicked his tongue."But don't forget he didn't get that place on his own. He asked his shady contacts to set him up."
"Because he's an assassin." Chiaki groaned."He has plenty of contacts, I'm sure. A few corrupt politicians. Getting a penthouse is nothing to him I guess. I think he mentioned something about a very influential Japanese politician giving him that place. They go way back."
"Sounds like being an assassin has its merits." Terunosuke huffed, a snarky grin forming on his face."Maybe I should become one."
"As if." Chiaki blew raspberries."Your fighting style is way too unorthodox for that to ever happen. You're better off being a punching bag and the team's shield, Ojii-san."
"Stop calling me that, brat." The rhino-themed Rider sneered."I'm 4 to 5 years older than you. That's not such a big gap."
"You should watch what you say, Ojii-san." The serial killer grinned at him, sticking her tongue out."If people heard you say that to a high schooler like me, they'd think you're some kind of predator."
"Ha! Sorry, kid, but I'm not into crazy bitches." He chuckled, waving off her insult.
"Oh? So who are you into then? That little girl you want to revive? Isn't it weird how a grown adult wants to date a 13-year-old?"
"Okay, fuck you." Terunoke snarled, gritting his teeth."She's 19. Not 13. She just died at 13 but should be 13. And if Kaburagi-kun and Loki keep their promise, she will live to be 19. And what about you? Don't think I haven't noticed how you see Kaburagi-kun. With that lust in your eyes. But guess where he is right now?"
"You say one more word and I'll rip your gouge your fucking eyes out!" She yelled, causing a few people to glance in their direction.
"Hey, keep quiet! I'm supposed to be dead, remember?" Terunosuke flinched at her volume, but Chiaki completely ignored it, muttering under her breath.
"But that bitch Miku is hogging him all to herself." Chiaki bit her lower lip, breaking the skin and drawing blood."She must be seducing him with her body. What a whore! Trying to taint my Hazuki with her body! That fucking piece of shit bitch!"
"Whatever. I don't want to get involved with high school drama." Terunosuke poked at his ear, uninterested.
"Speaking of that, your baby sisters seemed to get hurt during that fire last night," Chiaki said, earning his attention.
"How do you know that? Do they go to your class? Aren't you older than them?"
"You are forgetting I'm the most popular girl in school~!" Chiaki switched to her bubbly persona, giving him a peace sign."I know everyone! So, so? Are you worried about them?"
"I don't care about those brats." Terunosuke easily answered."They chose to rely on Jades. Well, they can go fuck themselves."
"Ha. Is that so? How cold. I really don't get you, you know? One second you say you're their older brother and the other you say you don't want anything to do with them. Are you insane?"
"I don't want to hear that from you. You killed your best friend in cold blood."
"And you killed your big brother." She retorted."We're not so different if you think about it. But I remember all the names of my victims. They will forever live on inside of me. What about you? Do you remember the name of the people you've killed?"
"Only my brother. And of course, I don't remember them. I killed a lot of them, and I don't even know how many kids died when I attacked Kaiser Academy." Terunosuke sent a scowl in her direction."And no. We are different. I am fighting for a reason. A life that was stolen for me. For the recognition I deserve. To revive Serena and give her the life she deserves."
"I want recognition too." Chiaki's eyes widened, a crazed smile forming on her lips."I want to be remembered through the ages. For all eternity. To be burnt into everyone's memories!"
"Really? Huh. So you got no one you want to revive? To protect? No family?"
"It was just my grandfather and I...Now it's just me..." She drawled, her arms hanging limp from her body as she kept walking.
"You're freaking me out now." Terunosuke smacked her on the back of her head, seemingly breaking her out of her trance."Stop switching personalities so damn much."
Before Chiaki would retort, they heard a loud screeching noise coming from somewhere.
"What the fuck is that noise?! Terunosuke dropped his bags, clenching his head.
Chiaki glanced around, realizing that no one else seemed to be hearing that horrible noise. What they did notice, was a spider-like humanoid reflecting in the mirror. She turned on her heels, noting that there was nothing there."What the...?"
"What? What is it?"
Before they could react, the monster jumped out of the window without shattering it, grabbing a nearby woman and pulling her inside the mirror. The crowd around them began to panic, running from the scene for their lives.
"Was that a Noise?!" Chiaki cried in disbelief.
"Noise don't look like that, do they?!" Terunose swallowed the lump in his throat, perturbed. Suddenly, wet appendages emerged from the glass window of a clothing store behind them, wrapping themselves around their necks and pulling them abruptly inside.
Chiaki instantly reached for the hunting knife she kept inside her purse, baring her teeth as she darted her eyes around. To her utter confusion, there was no one. All the people had suddenly vanished from sight. And there weren't any screams of fear. The one she saw was Terunosuke, who was rubbing his neck.
"Fuck...what was that?!"
"I don't know, but..." Chiaki followed the trail of blood to an alley, where the Mispider was finishing eating the woman it had kidnapped. Once it took notice of them, it hissed at them.
"That's not a Noise." Terunosuke took a step back."What the fuck is that? And what happened?"
"It seems we...were somehow pulled into...the mirror..." Chiaki assesed the situation."And that thing...is not a Noise.
The creature stood on its legs as more of them poured out of the alley. A total of 10 Mispiders surrounded them.
"So they want a fight? Fine by me...IT'S TIME FOR A BLOODBATH!" Chiaki cackled in madness, pulling out her Deck as her V Buckle manifested around her waist."HENSHIN!"
"Damn it!" Terunosuke did the same, less enthusiastic about the whole thing."Henshin!"
In a flash of light, both Riders were clad in their respective armor. Femme rushed at the monsters, laughing hysterically as she tried to stab one of them with her rapier, only to realize how tough its skin was."GOD, I FEEL SO ALIVE! Huh?"
One of the Mispider spewed webs toward her hand, taking her Blancvisor away from her."Hey!"
Gai ducked the incoming punch from a monster, elbowing the back of its head before another one spewed cobwebs at his arm, preventing him from moving it. He reached for his Deck, tossing a card to his Metalvisor.
Strike Vent: Metal Horn
Gai used his Metal Visor to cut away the web around his arm, smacking a mirror monster in the process."Yeah, these aren't fucking Noise. They aren't dying in one hit! They're too durable!"
"Whatever they are, who cares?!" Femme ran up to the monster who stole her visor, kicking its face and prompting it to release it."Let's go with that combo we came up with!"
"Oh? You actually want to play smart?"
"These are not real opponents. There's no need for me to enjoy mangling them. I prefer to hear the crunch of a human's bones as I snap them!"
"Fine then." Gai grinned under his helmet, activating another ability.
Shock Vent
Metalgelas tackled a pack of monsters towards the ones Femme was fighting and began stomping on the ground, creating an earthquake. Femme jumped in the air to prevent being affected by the attack, opening up her Blancvisor as she watched the monsters losing balance and tripping over themselves.
Final Vent: Misty Slash
Blancwing, her Advent Monster which resembled a swan, flew behind the monsters, flapping its wings and creating a gust of wind that sent them flying toward her direction. She began twirling her Wingslasher with both hands, completely tearing the Mirror Monsters into pieces.
"All done." Gai observed a few orbs of light floating in the air."Hmmm?"
Metalgelas and Blancwing stood underneath them, absorbing them into their mouths and devouring them.
"Well that was...new..." Gai muttered to himself."What did they just eat?"
"Beats me." Femme observed her surroundings after calming down, noting that everything was mirrored."But how do we get out of here?"
The rhino-themed Rider walked up to the glass window, touching it."Nothing's happening."
"Are we trapped here?"
"I believe I can help you."
Both members of the Divine Disasters of Valhalla turned on their heels, watching as a small boy with a golden tiara and pale complexion approached them, hands behind his back."Won't you indulge me a bit?"
Half an hour later, Hazuki finally reached the ports of Yokohama after receiving a call from Allister. The assassin had received a call from Terunosuke's phone, saying to come to a determined location.
"You made it." Allister, who was kneeling against the gate blocking the entrance, greeted the blonde boy.
"What's the situation?" Hazuki asked in concern."Where are the others?"
"Our friend here is going to tell us now that you're here." Allister pointed at a nearby watching tower, where Zeke lazily sat, kicking his legs.
"What the hell, Allister?" Hazuki turned to his comrade with a bewildered look."Why didn't you tell me to transform? He's going to-"
"Don't bother, Haz." Allister adopted a lopsided smile."He knows our names. Including mine. No need to hide our identity."
"Including...yours...?" Hazuki's eyes widened in shock.
"Ayeyo, your boy is here. We ready to bounce or what?" Zeke asked with an irritated tone."I'm getting cooked alive in this fucking sun!"
"Sure. But take us where? And why did you do to our friends?"
Zeke grinned, jumping off the tower and landing perfectly on four legs, unwrapping his tail from around his waist.
"What the hell...?" Hazuki's jaw dropped to the ground.
"What the fuck is that thing?!" Loki freaked out inside his mind.
"Trust me. I had a similar reaction to you." Allister placed a hand on his shoulder."He's not a human. He calls himself an Autoscorer. And he happens to be one of the last Kamen Riders. Verde."
"Wait. That's Verde?"
"Name's Zeke. Zeke Crowley. Look, just follow me, yeah?" Verde walked past them toward a large mirror just casually laying there."I brought this here and let me tell you, it was a pain in the ass."
"Okay...?" Hazuki rose a brow, not understanding why there was a mirror there or why Verde had carried it there."So...where do we go?"
"Give me your hand." Zeke flexed his hand."And grab your friend's."
Before he could object, Allister grabbed Hazuki's hand and guided him to where Zeke was."This could be a trap, you know."
"Oh, it definitely is." Allister said casually."But we need to get more information. Trust me. Let's just humor him. Besides, it's just a mirror. What could possible-"
As soon as Zeke grabbed Allister's hand, he jumped inside the mirror, pulling them through and entering the Mirror World.
The assassin shook his head, helping Hazuki up after they fell through."What was that?"
"It feels like...we went through the mirror...?"
"Check it out, yo." Zeke spun around on his heels."Everything is inverted."
Just as he said, everything was inverted. Letters, buildings, and more.
"Where are we? How did we just go through the mirror?!" Hazuki demanded.
"Take a chill pill man, sheez. Calm your tits. I'm just the tour guide. Oh, and I recommend you transform into your Rider forms. The Mirror World can't hold regular humans for too long. And don't try to run. You can't exit on your own. Your friends are here, after all."
Allister touched the mirror they came from, and to his surprise, he couldn't go back. With no other option, all Riders transformed and followed Verde into the docks. After a while, they reached a warehouse. Verde jumped into the wall, latching onto it."Follow me inside."
With that, the chameleon-themed Rider went inside the warehouse, leaving the two remaining Disasters outside.
"Be prepared for anything," Ryuga told Ouja, receiving a nod in response. Both Riders jogged inside the warehouse and past the open gate. Once they entered, they noticed Femme and Gai on the floor, unconscious."
"Guys!" Ryuga cried out.
"They're okay."
Both of them looked ahead, noticing both Verde and Abyss standing side to side underneath a mezzanine platform.
"They're unconscious." Abyss told them, checking his wrist to analyze his computer.'And we got their energy. So that leaves these two.'
"So? We're here. Talk." Ryuga frowned, taking a step forward.
"Please, no need for histrionics." From on top of the platform, an albino crimson-eyed boy and a golden tiara on his head made his presence known, leaning on the rails."A most warm welcome. I am happy to see you responded to my request for an audience with you."
"Not like we had a choice." Ryuga spat, scowling at the boy."Who the hell are you?"
"Me? Where are my manners?" Bragard chuckled to himself."My name is the great Prince Bragard Second Hyperion. And allow me to get straight to the point." He leaned forward, resting his arms on the railing, a haughty smile on his face."Let's talk about your Divine Power. And how you should submit yourselves to me, Herrscher of Calamity. Or should I say...Superstar."
And that's the chapter done. I'm done with finals so I have to wait for the results. Somehow I managed to write the chapter in bits and pieces whenever I had free time. So now I'm able to write more consistently for a few months until I start the fall semester. So look forward to that. Feel free to review and leave your thoughts! And again, thanks for all your support.