Cards introduced the last chapter:

Abyss Trident: slimereader

Dive Vent: slimereader

Abyss Turret: slimereader

Gazellesword: slimereader

Evil Sickles: Author

Reviews:

Tigracho: I haven't seen you in a while. Happy to see you back, friend. Yeah, Hibiki's whole thing revolves around talking to the villains because she can see their pain, and reminds her of her pain. Or so that's the way I interpret it. Hajime on the other hand is more like act first think later. It was not until he met Hibiki that he started to at least try to talk things down before resorting to violence. But he also wouldn't kill anyone. Even back when he was a short-fused in season 1, he hesitated to finish off Gai and in season 2 he avoided using his Final Vent in fear of killing someone. He always fought if negotiations didn't work, but never straight-up killed, and even more so since the others don't want him to stain his hands like they have. Here in this season, that's a little different. Bragard has almost exterminated his dad's side of the family and also has revealed that he was working under him, even helping him create the Decks, which caused so many tragedies and problems that Hajime can't help but blame himself for. Now he knows Bragard knows more than he's letting on and is coming after him and what's left of his family. So mercy is the last thing on his mind, which is why he went so hard on Garie and Damian, even more so since they're not human. And seeing as how he's one of the only available the pressure is sort of getting to him. Also, Bragard and Carol have killed a lot of people and are planning to destroy the world so Hajime is like wtf. When Chao-Xing finds out about this they will have a sort of common ground, like you said, since they also hate each other to some degree. She has good potential since she trains all the time, but she'll have to overcome her pride if she wants to get better.

Since she's naturally gifted, even more so than Hajime, she makes for a good candidate to become a Symphogear. Though Hajime himself doesn't practice the same martial arts as her. He's more of a mixed fighter since he can adapt depending on who he's fighting. As for how influential the Liang clan was...that will be discussed in further chapters. As well as more lore behind them but some of it will be in season 5. But this also speaks volumes for Bragard, since he wiped out the whole clan, and the whole thing was swept under the rug. Wonder how this was possible? wink wink. As for your final point, originally I did pick those titles cause they sounded cool, but I did some research. It's a German word which means ruler or monarch. So it has a deeper meaning than it does. Bragard is the Herrscher of Catastrophe, Hazuki the Herrscher of Calamity, and Hajime the Herrscher of Chaos. These titles are all related to each other but that will remain a mystery for a while. Honestly, yes, I like Takeru too. Definitely fun to write. Another favorite for me is Terunosuke since I like writing asshole characters. And as a writer, I do get attached to most of my characters since I also have to flesh them out. But yes, sadly, this is a Rider War, so casualties will happen. Otherwise, the Rider War will never end.

Guest DCDGojira: Glad you liked it

lordri25may2001: Yeah lol. I can see Damian as Akaza and Zeke as Douma. But the difference is that they both can't stand each other. Yeah, there's a rivalry between Zolda and Verde. Abyss doesn't have one yet. Ouja is pretty much the guy everyone wants to kill but his real targets are Chris and Takeru, since those were Fine's last orders to him back in season 1 and he wants to finish the job. Hajime asked Tsubasa because back in season 2 when Hajime and Tsubasa were heading for the Frontier, she offered to teach him. So he's taken her up on her offer. But yes, Hajime and Hibiki have different philosophies so they'll have some problems when it comes to their beliefs.

Tenzalucard123: Hibiki is very possessive of Hajime but you're right, she shouldn't feel that way since he wouldn't change her for anyone else. And yes, Hajime and the others are in for a wild ride with Tsubasa teaching them how to ride a bike xd.

Digi-Gojira: There will be future forms. I can't say much more than that though. It would be bad storytelling if I were to leave their most powerful forms as Survive when we're still missing like 2 more seasons xd.

Nexus240: I'm happy you liked it. Yup, the Ignite Module are coming soon too.

Chapter 52
The Black Sheep of the Family

Hazuki Kaburagi couldn't help but marble at the inside of the Overall. The place was humongous, which made him question how it hadn't been found before. That is until he realized it was located in the Mirror World. Bragard's secret base was subterranean in nature, lying deep beneath Tokyo. It is largely vertical in shape, almost like an underground tower of sorts, with countless tunnels and staircases connecting its levels. Right now, they were inside the Throne Room, which housed the Supercomputer, also known as the Overall. Behind the throne was an empty void with a giant sphere of energy pulsing constantly. Connected to it was a series of energy cables linked with various mirrors, all converging to a cubic mirror serving as the Mirror Core for the Mirror World. Powering the whole thing was various stones lit up surrounding the Overall, except for three that had no color.

"W-what is that...?" Hazuki stammered, staring at the monstrosity in front of them.

"That's the Overall, Superstar. It's being powered up by the energy taken from you and the other Riders we defeated. As you can see, we're only missing Ryuki, Imperer, and Raia. Of course, yours was used to replace the one where Odin's should be. It's also what's powering up the Mirror World, as well as copying the monsters from within since they are limited. I was able to open up the dimensional rift from this world to the Mirror World, but the Overall is extending the limits even more so.

"What's going to happen when you get the energy of those 3?"

"Let's just say...great things are going to happen." Bragard grinned."So...as for why I requested you here. I want to start experimenting with your Divine Power. I'm curious. Those...friends, of yours. They have some level of Divine Power in them. Can you share it with multiple people?"

"Just them." He lied, but he could tell Bragard wasn't going to buy that.

"He's full of shit." Zeke scoffed."Bullshit. Watch your words, human. You're in front of the strongest being in existence. The great Prince Bragi!"

"Bragi?"

"I-I mean Bragard!" He quickly corrected himself, bowing down to his lord.

"Prince of what?" Hazuki's left eye turned golden.

"Ah, so you're taking control for now, Loki?" Bragard smiled, pleased with the initiative."Take a seat on the throne and put on that helmet. It will channel your Divine Power."

Loki scoffed, doing just that. He took a seat on the throne, a sly smile appearing on his face."It's quite comfy. Fitting for a God. So, you're going to answer my question or not?"

"Fine. I guess it's the least I can do." Bragard snapped his fingers, prompting Zeke to run over to the machine and strap the helmet on Loki's head. He spread his arms, summoning a green magic circle."Don't worry. The machine works with Alchemy. And I'm since unable to use it, my loyal Royal Gaurd here manages it for me. But yes, I am a prince. It's not a just-for-show title. I ruled over the kingdom of Ventara centuries ago."

"Ventara?!" Loki's eyes shot wide open in shock."You mean..."

"That's right. My kingdom was named after the great Divine Beast that you and your fellow Gods fought so hard to split into pieces. We worshiped that God, you see. As it turns out, the first king found the sacred writings depicting the legend of Ventara and how it met its end. But that's a story for another time."

"Okay..." Loki mumbled, still flabbergasted that he was aware of the Divine Beast."So...what happened to your kingdom?"

"Let's just say that their lives were put to better use." Bragrad waved his hand dismisivally.

"Nice work being cryptic."

"I can't reveal all of my cards just yet, can I?" Bragrad reached for his breast pocket, pulling out a dull stone from within."But my plan revolves around this rock. You'll understand soon enough."

"I'm still confused though." Loki hummed."How do you plan to use the Divine Power on yourself? You must be affected by the Curse of Balal. Everyone is."

"That's true. Unfortunately, even with this body, I am still bound by that retched curse." Bragard clapped, looking at the ceiling. Loki followed his gaze, noticing a tube above their heads containing what appear to be another Bragard, except this one had black hair.

"You're...cloning yourself...why?"

"This specific one...I have been working on him for quite a while now. I am continuously experimenting to find a way to rid of that curse, and that body will be my solution. The perfect human being. In contrast to mine, that one is a human-homunculus hybrid. It's still not ready, of course. I want it to be perfect. And once I fully power up the Overall, I'll be able to make it so that that body can age naturally. I've been stuck in this child's body for 10 years and it's a pain. And my power has been cut in half since I've been reduced to this stature. Not only that, I plan to find a way to activate my Alchemy abilities once more. But for now, all I can do is keep working."

"I see..." Loki trailed off, his eyes glued to the Bragard above them."Sounds like quite the arduous task."

"Ah, don't worry. Since we started our tests today, I will gladly work on your Decks and improve them. Just bring them in and I'll have them done in a flash."

Garie and Damian teleported back to Carol's base, the male Autoscorer falling on one knee."Hey! Are you alright?!"

"Just finishing regenerating," Damian answered her, fixing his wounds with a hiss.

"So they used Survive Cards." Carol mused, addressing the water Autoscorers."It's no surprise you two were defeated. Though you could have at least gotten rid of the Gungnir Symphogear."

"I-"

"We got caught up in the moment." Garie cut Damian off, covering his mouth."We humbly apologize."

"It's fine. It's not like this changes anything. And now that we got the...extra pair of hands, the process should go much smoother. Damian. Why did you let those girls get away?"

"Why should I involve bystanders in this?" Damian asked, scoffing."Those girls had nothing to do with it. We only had one target. Garie here decided to be sadistic and get them involved."

"We had a good advantage that you tried to ruin!" Garie jabbed her thumb against his chest, stepping on her tippy toes to make up for the difference in size."And why? Because you're a human?"

"Yes."

"Not this shit again." Garie rubbed her temples in exasperation."You're not a human, Damian. You're a doll, just like the rest of us."

"I'm not!" Damian shouted in her face."I'm a human! I'm-"

"You are not a human." Carol coldly cut him off."Remember the purpose for which you were made. If you let your foolish mentality get in the way of our goals again, you will be sent for maintenance again."

"I..." Damian deflated slightly at her words.

"Master, Ryuki blasted him pretty hard. Allow me to check him over at the laboratory for any damage he couldn't have regenerated."

"Very well." Carol relented with a sigh."But I want you back here soon. You and Micha will go together since she's optimized for combat. Bragi took Zeke with him to the Overall to talk to this Hazuki boy so we don't have our strongest forces. Also, you'll be joined by someone from Hazuki's team. Keep an eye on her."

"Okay!" Micha nodded rapidly."I'm ready!"

"Just give us a moment, alright?" Garie rolled her eyes, silently sneering at Micha. She grabbed Damian's hand and dragged him along, ignoring his protests. A few minutes later, they reached one of the many labs Bragard had installed. She guided him inside, sitting him down on a stool as she sat on top of a bed.

"So...are you going to tell me?"

"Tell you what?"

"Why did you save me?" Garie asked.

"Because I can regenerate and you can't."

"You're a bad liar." Garie sighed, crossing her legs."Come on, you can tell me. It's just us two here. You don't trust me?"

"Can you blame me if I don't? But it's just...promise you won't laugh."

"I can only promise to try."

"Ok, fine." Damian took a deep breath, removing his fedora, leaving his curly hair free."Originally, I wasn't even going to bother saving you."

"Aren't you a gentleman?" Garie quipped, rolling her eyes."So why the change of heart?"

"I don't know. My body just moved on its own, I guess." Damian shrugged."I suddenly felt the urge to save you. I didn't understand that feeling. It just..appeared inside of me and before I knew it, I was shielding you. I wonder if that's what it feels to be human?"

"Why are you so obsessed with being a human anyway?" Garie promptly asked."What's so great about being a human anyway? I know you're not delusional enough to believe you're actually human."

"Yeah...I know I'm not." Damian sighed."I try to make myself think I am, but..." He slashed open his wrist with his nails, with no blood pouring out of the wound, and in seconds, black dust swirled around to repair the damage."Deep down I know I'm not a human. Look at me. I look like a humanoid shark and I can regenerate lost limbs without a hitch. No human could ever do this."

Garie hummed in thought, silently dancing around."And yet you still try."

"I envy humans. They're free to do what they want and decide how to live their lives." A ghost of a smile appeared on his face."They live normal lives and have tons of fun with their friends. The little things in life that make them human. It's...curious, I guess. For some reason, I can't help but want that. They get to decide how they live."

"Even though you're far better off being an Autoscorer?"

"Am I really that much better off?" Damian offered a lopsided smile."Sure, I can regenerate. But I have to steal life force from humans to even do so. And I hate doing that. It makes me feel...like a monster. I know it's stupid. We're dolls. But still...And besides, we're just tools, aren't we? Like Mom-I mean, Carol said, we were made for one purpose."

"You called her Carol." Garie stopped her dancing, looking genuinely surprised."You didn't call her Mama or anything like that."

"She's not my mom. I just call her that to cope, I guess." Damian shrugged.

"I see...You know, I wasn't expecting you to suddenly open up like that." Garie admitted."I thought you'd flip me off or something."

"Come on, I'm not that bad." He smiled dryly."Garie...this may sound silly, but...don't you get the feeling we've known each other for a long time?"

"Uh...duh." Garie glared at him as if he had grown a second head."We were created a while ago, remember?"

"I mean, even before that. I just...can't shake this familiar feeling. Like we've known each other for a long time...That we're close."

"I think you need to go under maintenance again." Garia dismissed him as she began to dance again in silence."You're talking nonsense again."

"Maybe. Garie...don't you ever feel like we can aspire to be something else?"

"Something else?"

"I mean, more than this." He said."Be more than tools. Be something that we want to be. Not what's given to us. Not following a set of instructions and commands. But follow our own will."

"Why would I ever want to do that when I'm perfectly content with the Master's approval?"

"They don't care about us." Damian shot her a pleading look."Once we serve our purpose, then we're of no use to them. There's got to be something else for us, right?"

"That's our job." Garie sighed."We have to follow what we were created for. That's it."

"If you say so..." Damian's shoulders slumped."By the way, why do you always do that?"

"Do what?"

"Just randomly start dancing." Damian deadpanned."I've been pouring my heart out here and you're just dancing around!"

"I like doing this. It clears my head." Garie twirled over to him, offering him her hand."Want me to teach you?"

"Teach me...?"

"Sure. You look like you could use the help in winding down a little." Garie gave him a toothy grin."And I don't mind teaching you some things. We can start slow."

"Fine..." Damian took her hand and stood up."Don't we need music for this?"

"Just follow my humming and you'll do fine. Now, just place your hands like so," She said, taking his right hand and placing it on her hip, as she intertwines her fingers with his, holding his left hand to hers. She then placed her right hand on his shoulder, as she starts moving gently to her humming. Damian closed his eyes, letting her guide his movements."Try not to step on my toes too much."

Damian sweatdropped."It's not like you feel it."

"No. But it is annoying." She giggled, resting her face against his chest."You know...I guess I do feel quite familiar with you. It's hard to explain...but it feels like this isn't our first time dancing together."

"I feel the same way." He looked down at her, their gazes meeting."I wonder why that is?"

"Maybe you're rubbing off on me with your human-talk nonsense." She giggled as they continued swaying in place."Oh, I forgot about something."

"Yeah? What is-"

Garie stood on her tippy toes, kissing Damian on the lips, taking the male water Autoscorer by surprise. She gently cupped his cheek as they both closed their eyes. Once she was done, she pulled back with a smile.

"You..." Damian blinked, perplexed."You gave me some of your life force and the memories you collected before?"

"I didn't want to give everything to Micha. And since you lost some of your life force protecting me, this is the least I can do to make sure we're even. That way you won't bitch and moan about how you don't want to steal life force from humans." She explained with a wink."I have a few more minutes to spare. Shall we continue with your dance lessons?"

"Very well." Damian smiled at her with a nod."I'm ready to learn more. So? What about you?"

"What about me?"

"What's bothering you?" He asked."Back when Mo-Master Carol said that you'll be joining Micha, you looked upset."

"Am I that easy to figure out?" Garie gave a dramatic sigh as they continued to dance."Why the hell do I need to take Micha with me? And the way she said it too. Because she's optimized for combat? It sounded like she was doubting my skills to get the job done!"

"You feel the need to prove yourself to her."

"Exactly! I mean, how is it my fault that those two bitches couldn't sing properly for me?!" Garie sneered."They got me in this mess. They'll pay dearly for it."

"So why didn't we just kill them? I mean, they were weakened. The Hersccher of Chaos doesn't control Survive yet."

"You don't get it." Garie sighed in exasperation."What good is a victory earned like that? It wouldn't have been satisfying to kill them when they couldn't sing. I wouldn't have proved anything if I did it that way. Sure, maybe it's efficient, but that's not how I do things. Why do you care? You destroyed two Decks. I haven't destroyed a single pendant!"

"Give it time." Damian chuckled."I didn't know you had an inferiority complex. Is that why you're such a blowhard sometimes? Trying to be the first at everything and making an impact?"

"I am not a blowhard!" Garie pouted, stepping on his toes.

"Hey! Watch it!" Damian glared daggers at her.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Did I hurt you?" She gave him a cutesy look, but she wasn't fooling anyone."Look...I want to please the Master. Make her recognize my efforts. Count for something. That's all."

"Honestly, I think you're an overachiever." He offered her a toothy grin, showcasing his shark teeth."You always try to get things done right. Though a little extreme. Besides, you have some insane loyalty. That has to count for something. I guess what I'm trying to say is...you're perfect the way you are. You don't have to strive to be better than the rest."

"You think...I'm fine the way I am...?" Garie glanced up at him, bewildered.

"Sure. We're all unique. Whether that's because of our programming or something else, that doesn't matter. You are you. And I think your efforts are worth something. So at least you can have solace in that."

Garie was left speechless at his words, not having expected to hear that from him. A smug smile graced her features as she pulled away."Look at you, trying to make me feel better. Didn't you call me a lousy bitch before too? You should practice your girl talk."

"Maybe. But I guess learning new things is a very human thing." He chuckled, sitting back on his stool."You're leaving? Want me to come with?"

"Nah, that's fine." Garie twirled around, heading for the door."Micha is probably getting impatient. You know her. And this other person that's coming with us. I'll have my hands full but I'll manage. Thank you for the concern."

"No problem. We're friends, after all."

"Friends...?" Garie halted, turning back to face him."Friends...friends...friends...we're friends?"

"Aren't we?" Damian asked."I mean, maybe you don't see it that way. But I think it's human to call those who are special to you friends. You're all my friends. And you're no exception."

"Friends..." Garie repeated that foreign word. She glanced back to Damian, shooting him a wink."Well then, friend. I shall accept your friendship. See you later, handsome. Oh, wait. One piece of advice. To return the favor."

"Yeah? What is it?"

"I think you can be whatever you want." Garie turned on her heel, glancing over her shoulder with what he swore to be the first genuine smile he had seen from her."As long as you believe it, it should be fine, yes? Well, goodbye now."

"Yeah, see ya." He waved her goodbye, taking a deep breath."So as long as I believe it...it should be fine...Guess she wasn't wrong. I do feel better after dancing."

The next day, a slim young adult stood in front of a grave that belonged to the late Professor Nastassja. He wore green camouflage pants, brown boots, and a yellow jacket with a hood, which he had on to conceal his face.

"So in the end, they praise you as a hero." Terunosuke lit up a cigarette in his mouth, inhaling some smoke before exhaling."How ironic. Considering you were the one who allowed the whole Frontier fiasco to happen."

Of course, no words were returned, but the man kept talking."And you were one of the lead scientists back at FIS. Indoctrinated and used a lot of kids as guinea pigs, myself included. But I guess I shouldn't be complaining since I was the one who practically volunteered to join. I wanted to be something in life. Something better than whatever I could have become on my own. I worked so hard to be chosen as a Kamen Rider. I was smarter than the rest of the kids, but there was someone I could never surpass."

He sneered upon remembering the two Demetrios brothers in their childhood."Fucking Jades and Atticus. Always acting like they were perfect. And everyone just ate from the palms of their hands. Jades in particular. No matter how hard I tried, I always came in second to him. But in the end..." A psychotic smirk graced his features."I'm the one who came on top. All thanks to your advice, hag. I saw the opportunity and took it. Atticus got what he deserved. Hmm?" He could hear the faint voices of people talking getting closer to his location.

"You really went ahead and got her soy sauce?" Raiden deadpanned at the blonde girl, carrying a big bottle with her."What for?"

"Because this is a classic taste of Japan-desu!" Kirika countered."And she loved soy sauce. It's only proper."

"Kiri-chan seems to know what she's talking about." Shirabe offered a smile."Besides, it's not like anyone else was suggesting any good ideas."

"I wanted to bring her some of those Matryoshka dolls that get smaller and smaller. They looked cute." Andreas said.

"Well, I was the only normal one and brought her fresh flowers." Raiden pushed his glasses up his nose, proud of his gift.

"I think it's fine if you guys bring her whatever you want." Jades ruffled the young boy's head, much to his chagrin."I'm sure she would have loved to see what you guys got for her based on your personalities."

"Jades-nii is right." Maria nodded."This isn't a competition to see who can get Mom the best gift."

"Hey, look." Kirika pointed at a man in front of Nastassja's grave. Since he was wearing a hood, they weren't able to tell who they were."Someone's visiting Mom."

Maria frowned, stopping in her tracks and holding the girls back."Stay with me."

Raiden arched a brow, but Jades wordlessly walked past him, addressing the figure in front of them."Terunosuke. That's you. Right?"

"Teru-nii...?" Shirabe echoed."But why is he...?"

"I figured you'd come by." Terunosuke puffed some smoke, taking off the hood of his jacket and revealing his unkempt dark brown hair."Just not today. It's about to start raining."

"So you were alive after all..." Kirika breathed, frowning upon seeing his face.

"Heh. That's a scary look, little Kirika. What, not going to cry this time?" Terunossuke chuckled, sideglancing her."Is that any way to greet your older brother?"

"You're no brother of ours." Maria scowled scornfully."Not after what you did."

The holder of the Gai deck sighed, throwing his cigarette on the ground and putting it out with his foot."I'm surprised they're treating the hag like some sort of hero. Even though it's mostly her fault what happened."

"She recognized that her actions were wrong and that Dr. Ver was out of his mind." Terunosuke explained, his voice calm."It's because of her the earth is still intact today. She gave her life for that."

"How noble." Terunosuke clicked his tongue, spitting on the ground."And what about the atrocities she did? The atrocities YOU guys did? They're all gone and forgiven? No, that's not exactly right, is it? Look at you guys, working for a government that doesn't give a shit about you. Do you think you're free? Far from it, you're just on another leash."

"Maybe so, but we're doing what's right. We're using our powers for good." Maria furrowed her brows."What's the alternative? Going around killing people because they look at you the wrong way?"

"I mean, it's not like I plan all of my murders." Terunosuke shrugged without a care as if he were talking about something so mundane as the weather."Metalgelas is quite the glutton. He loves to eat a lot. And besides, I'm just doing what's truly human. I'm exercising my freedom by taking the freedom of others. There's nothing more human than that. It's just natural."

"You're out of your mind if you think that's natural!" Shirabe yelled, raising her voice and surprising herself with her tone."You've killed countless innocent people for that?! You think that makes you free?"

"And what about you? You're limited in what you can do. And guess who is limiting you so much." Terunosuke snorted."The people in power. In this world, those with power are the ones who can take freedom away from others. I'm free because I have power."

"You're not as free as you think." Raiden narrowed his eyes at him."They think you're dead. But if they didn't, you would have been hunted down. Look at you hiding your face. Because you're afraid they'll catch you."

"Tch. Smartass like always, eh, Raiden?" Terunosuke scoffed."You're one to talk, Mr. Accomplice."

"I know I did wrong by helping you...I know I'm only good at hurting people." Raiden's fists trembled."But I will never make that mistake again! I won't succumb like you!"

"Succumb? Is that what you call it?"

"Do you not feel anything for what you did?" Maria scowled in disgust at her former brother figure."You killed Atticus-nii! And then you have the gal to dream of Serena! I know what they found in your apartment! You're the one who stole her plushy with that picture of her! You're delusional if you think Serena would ever feel love for someone like you!"

"And what do you know about Serena?" Terunosuke growled."You let her die after all."

"We failed to contain the Nephilim, that's true-" Jades began, but Maria cut him off.

"You tried fighting the Nephilim and you almost died!" Maria called him out."You have no right to criticize Jades-nii for that! It happened and we couldn't stop it! She died to protect us! To protect you!"

"Yeah...I guess I did fail to kill the Nephilim." Terunosuke chuckled, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

"How did you even survive that?" Andreas asked.

"Are you working with Ryuga?" Raiden cut straight to the point."He's the only one who can teleport, as far as we know."

"Why don't you ask that wannabe detective friend of yours?" The man gave them a sardonic smile."He figured me out once. Surely he can do it again."

"That's just avoiding the question-desu!"

"Maybe. But who gives a fuck about that." Terunosuke glanced down at Nastassja's grave."I work for those who see my value and pay it in kind. I'm only faithful to those who see my potential and my hard work. That's why I love Serena. She saw who I really was. You guys didn't give a shit. Neither did the old hag. No matter how hard I trained and showed my worth...I was never enough. I never got a Deck on my own. But you know...heheheh..."

Terunosuke erupted in maniacal laughter, grabbing onto his face."I'm actually glad the hag is dead. Really fucking happy. I can only hope she died suffering tremendous agony! She died all alone up in space, leaving no legacy behind and unable to correct her mistakes! She died as she lived...alone! Whoever thinks that Jades is more special than me deserves to die an infinite amount of times!" He turned to face them with a wicked grin, his sclera had turned black and his pupils white and black lines appeared around his body."I wish that fucking bitch is burning in hell, suffering for the rest of eternity! It's too bad I didn't get to kill her. I was going to make sure she suffered the most agonizing pain! But I can do that to you, Jades!"

"Your eyes!" Jades gasped upon seeing Terunosuke's eyes along with the black aura around him."What happened to you?!"

"I was finally rewarded for my effort." Terunosuke splayed his arms."I was blessed by God himself! I am closer to attaining the ultimate power!"

"God? So wait...you are working with Ryuga!" Kirika pointed at him accusingly."You're working with Loki, aren't you?!"

"Oh? You know about Loki-sama?" Terunosuke chuckled, holding onto his stomach."That saves me a lot of trouble! Yeah. I am working with them, so what?"

"So you're okay with using this power? I thought you said the strong had the right to take the freedom away from the weak." Jades said.

"There's nothing wrong with bowing down to a power stronger than you." Terunosuke shrugged."I don't care what I have to do to get stronger. And selling my soul to the devil himself is no exception. As long as I'm alive and I can live another day, I'll do anything to survive! I won't die. Not until I see you all dead. But that's not so bad. We are trying to create a new world. A world without evil where everyone gets what they want. I can make sure you live in that new world. All you have to do is bow down to me and beg for your lives."

"We know Loki is planning to unleash Ragnarok. You're planning to devastate the whole world! And for what?! For a world where he rules over according to his will?!" Maria yelled."That's no way of living! Humans need to struggle to evolve! You're really okay with this plan when you know it involves global genocide?!"

"But that's not my problem!" Terunossuke cackled."I don't give a damn! I only care about myself and Serena! Besides, the ends justify the means, right? This is just a necessary evil! You should be happy! You'll get to live perfect lives! You'll have nothing to fear. Loki-sama and Ryuga offered me this power in exchange to help them. They helped me escape from this life of unhappiness and pain! Compared to that, you are nothing!"

He pointed at Jades, who recoiled back."You are finally less special than me! You, who has no pride and no guts! You don't even deserve to exist! You're worse than dirt!"

"If he's worse than dirt then you're just shit!" Raiden screamed, unable to hold himself back."You talk like you're a prophet or something, but you're just a murderous piece of shit that deserves to die!"

"Don't you dare...!" Terunosuke quickly took out his Deck, rushing at them."DON'T YOU DARE COMPARE YOURSELF TO ME, YOUR OLDER BROTHER! I'M NOT A FAILURE LIKE YOU!"

"Keep talking shit, you fucking asshole!" Raiden barked as he did the same.

"HENSHIN!"

Both Raiden and Terunosuke transformed in unison, with the latter charging at him.

"Wait, stop!" Maria got in between them, stopping Gai."Please!"

"Please what?" Gai scoffed."A little too late to stop this, sweet cheeks."

"You can't fight here! This is a cemetery! There are a lot of people buried here! This is a sacred place!"

"So what? The fuck do I care?" Gai laughed, backhanding Maria away and running toward Raia."They're dead and we're alive! Who the fuck cares about a bunch of corpses! The dead have no rights over the living!"

"You're insane!" Raia blocked the incoming bunch with both of his arms, going for a spiral kick that did no damage."What the-"

"You think your weak attacks can bypass my armor, especially when I'm using my new power?!" Gai kicked Raia in the stomach, launching him into an empty grave across the area."That grave is fitting for you. What do you think?"

"No! Raiden!" Andreas ran after them, Deck in hand.

"Andreas, wait!" Jades was about to run after them, but a purple snake slithered in front of them, hissing at them."Woah!"

"Now, now. People unable to fight shouldn't get involved." Kamen Rider Ouja made himself known, sitting on top of a tree."Hello."

"Ouja!" They all cried in unison.

"Hey there, Little Lady." Ouja waved his hand at Shirabe, scanning her from head to toe."Though at this rate, I'll have to stop calling you Little Lady. You're growing too fast."

"I haven't grown that much in these past 3 months, Cypher-san." Shirabe said, her gaze cold."Why are you here? Are you also working with Ryuga now?"

"Something like that," Ouja answered.

"You know he's trying to decimate the whole world, right?"

"I don't care what the end goal is, Little Lady." Ouja shrugged."All I care about is following the strongest emotion aimed at the strongest goal. And this just happens to be it. As for why I'm here specifically...let's just say I'm here to prevent you and your siblings from joining up the fight. I mean, you don't have LINKER, and Jades-san doesn't have his Deck. So really, I'm keeping you out of danger."

"I don't think keeping us out of danger is what you're after." Kirika hid behind Jades upon seeing Venosnaker hiss at her."Desu!"

"He's going to kill them." Maria spat some blood from her mouth after the blow she had received from Terunosuke."If you think we'll let you do that, you're mistaken."

"We'll see." Ouja trailed off, glancing back at the battle.

Raia continued dodging Gai's punches and trying to lure him out of the cemetery. Gai continued smashing around the tombstones in his quest to attack Raia. Despite Raia being slightly faster, he knew that one of his punches could be a big problem. Also, he didn't know if he could even damage him now.

"Just fucking stop! Wait until we're out of the cemetery! Do you not know what's right or wrong anymore?!"

"Again with this shit? Why do people keep asking me this?!" Gai cackled in glee, kicking a tombstone and hurling it at Raia, who blocked it with his fists. However, upon breaking them, Raia's vision was obscured due to the cloud of dust, which left him exposed to a right hook by Gai that sent him flying toward a tree.

"Of course, I know. I differentiate them quite well in fact!" Gai drew a card from his Deck, tossing it to the visor on his shoulder.

Strike Vent: Metal Horn

"Those who side with me and value me are good. And those who oppose me are bad. I am a hero fighting for a new world and those who oppose it are villains! Plain and simple! Those who stand against me deserve to die and that's that!" Gai brandished his Metal Horn."Also, the fuck do I care about destroying graves? You do remember I was also the one who killed a bunch of high school kids when I attacked Kaiser Academy, right? This is nothing."

"You're sick!" Raia activated an ability to even things out.

Copy Vent

Raia blocked Metal Horn with his own copy, his heels digging into the dirt due to the amount of force pushing him."You sure seem comfortable being a pawn!"

"A pawn? Wrong. I've never felt this fulfilled in my life! I learn a very valuable lesson from the hag and my life experiences. The unworthy are the ones who get their work rewarded. But a true winner and a worthy person take what they want! In this life, you have to follow this: take to gain! And that's what I did to Atticus! That's the only way I could have become a Kamen Rider!"

"Leave him alone!" Imperer jumped on Gai's back, preventing him from attacking Raia.

"Damn, runt!" Gai smacked Imperer on the head with his Metal Horn, knocking him to the ground."You know, I wanted to kill Jades first and spare him the pain of seeing me kill his precious little siblings. But since you insist!"

Advent: Evildiver

Evildiver rammed into Gai, who blocked it with Metal Horn. He grunted, digging his heels into the ground to try and stop the monster.

"W-what do we do, Raiden?" Imperer asked, startled.

"What do you mean? Just fight him!" Raia rushed after Gai, growling in fury after what he had just said.

"R-right!" Imperer drew a card, inserting it into his visor.

Sword Vent: Gazellesword

"But what's the plan?" He asked, running behind Raia.

"Just follow my lead," Raia called out, jumping ahead. Gai clicked his tongue, jumping over Evildiver.

Advent: Metalgelas

Metalgelas huffed, tackling Raia onto the ground. He began to pounce on him, with Raia only able to block with Metal Horn.

Hop Vent

Imperer manifested his springs on the bottom of his heels, jumping around trees to gain momentum before propelling himself toward Metalgelas, kicking it in its face."You okay?!"

"Just peachy." Raia sighed, getting back on his feet with Imperer's help.

Shoot Vent: Metalshooter

Gai was now armed with a one-barreled shotgun gauntlet on his left arm, aiming it directly at Imperer."Bang."

Without mercy, the former real estate agent shot Imperer straight in the chest, sending him flying away and landing inside a pond.

"Andreas!" Jades cried in horror, ready to go for his brother, but Venosnaker spat venom in front of him, preventing him from moving.

"Ah, not so fast." Ouja wagged a finger.

"He's going to kill them!" Shirabe cried out."Please, Cypher-san!"

"You should trust in your brothers more, Little Lady." Ouja scolded her."I thought believing in those dear to you was normal."

Imperer swam toward the surface, groaning in pain after receiving the blast."Ow...that hurt...Raiden! Should we use it?!"

"I..." Raiden froze. Should they use Survive here? Terunosuke was proving to be stronger than before. Whatever powers he had gotten from that other God were proving to be too much for them. And he didn't want to bring out his grenade launcher here. They were already destroying and disrespecting the people resting in this cemetery to start blowing things up. His choices were limited.

"Raiden!" Imperer cried again.

"Hold on! Remember that we don't know what sort of backlash it will have! Let me use it!"

"But you'll get hurt-"

"I'm the older brother! I won't let you get hurt!"

"Use whatever tricks you want." Gai began bombarding Raia with shotgun fire, prompting him to start running in circles."You can't beat me. We all gotta die at some point, right? Atticus knows that all too well. And none of you are the exception!"

Final Vent: Flying Rider Kick

Gai instinctively rose his Metal Horn, blocking Ryuki's kick with great difficulty after he had appeared out of nowhere. He grunted, feeling himself being overpowered by the kick and launching him across the area to the gates of the cemetery.

"Ah! It's Blacky-kun!" Kirika beamed in pure joy."He's here!"

"Hajime-chan!" Maria gasped, a sense of relief washing over her.

"What?" Ouja frowned, taken by surprise by Ryuki's sudden appearance.."How did he get there so fast? Not even I detected him attacking."

Ryuki stood in front of Raia, his eyes set on Gai who was beginning to pick himself up from the ground."A tough bastard like always."

"Sorry..." Andreas hung his head in shame."We're no match for him..."

"As we suspected, it seems he came into contact with Ryuga, who is allied with Loki like Thor said. He has gained incredible power." Raia informed him, holding his arm in pain."That God must have shared his power with him."

"That's possible?" Ryuki hummed in thought."I see. Well, I'm glad you guys are okay and didn't use Survive. We don't know what kind of ramifications it will have on you since it's not your affinity. You guys did your part. Just this sit one out and let me take care of the rest."

'Damn it...' Raia screamed at himself inside of his mind.'Why did I hesitate to use Survive?! Am I that scared of what would happen if I use it?!'

"Well, well, well. The hero shows himself at the last second." Gai clapped derisively."Look what we have here. The schoolboy. It's been a long time, eh? You here to do what? Defeat me?"

"Stop you." Ryuki answered easily."And to take you down before you do more damage to innocent people. What you did to your siblings is unforgivable. Don't think for a second I forgot what you did those all those students!"

"It looks like you're still an immature brat." Gai clicked his tongue, leveling his barrel toward Ryuki."Well, come on. I'll teach you all the lessons you need, kid!"

"I'd rather you just surrender for the sake of Jades and the others." Ryuki said."Jades, at least, doesn't want you dead. And I doubt your parents want to bury their child again. I met them too. Very nice people. I don't know how you turned out this way."

"You say the dumbest shit." Gai scoffed."Seriously. What do I care about my parents? They can go to hell for all I care. In fact, I would be more than happy to sell them away in exchange for more power!"

"I knew it. You're the worse scum there is. You and Ouja!" Ryuki drew a card from his Deck, and the air around him shifted. Flames appeared out of thin air, surrounding him and covering his body, his visor changing from Dragsivor to Dragzweivisor.

"What the fuck?" Gai blinked, bewildered. He shook his head, shooting a few rounds of bullets at Ryuki, but the shells melted before they could ever touch his body."What?!"

Survive: Rekka

(Play Kamen Rider Ryuki - Revolution)

The flames engulfed Ryuki, before combusting in an explosion that shock the whole area. Once the flames died down, Ryuki was in his Survive Mode, staring down at Gai.

"This is...new..." Ouja couldn't help but unfold his arms."Kuwana-san! Don't underestimate him! He's not the same boy we once knew!"

"So what if he changed his appearance a little?!" Gai charged at Ryuki, unleashing a volley of bullets which he easily dodged while drawing a card from his Deck.

"This is..." Ryuki was surprised to see the new card in his hand, but nodded to himself."Alright!"

Strange Vent

To his surprise, the compartment opened up again, but this time, it had a different card. One that was not his. Without wasting time, he inserted the card again.

Confine Vent

Metal Horn vanished from Gai's hand, leaving him vulnerable."What?! What happened?!"

Ryuki rose his visor, pulling onto the triggering and blasting Gai several times with beams of energy. The Rider gasped in pain, feeling the attacks bypassed his armor and damaged him. He tried raising his shotgun, but Ryuki was already next to him, punching him straight in the face, breaking part of his helmet. He staggered backward, only to feel a kick to the back of his head, causing him to trip over his feet and land on all fours. Before he could react, Ryuki kicked him in the face and slashed him a few times with his visor's blade mode before kicking him in the chest, sending him flying outside of the cemetery and into a tree, knocking it down.

"H-how...he wasn't this strong before..." Gai coughed up violently, astonished at having received so much damage."I shouldn't have felt this much pain...my armor is the toughest out of all Riders..."

"It's over." Ryuki was ready for his next ability, inserting it into his visor as Gai shook in fear.

"I...I REFUSE TO LOSE TO A BRAT! I WAS CHOSEN BY GOD!" Gai sprinted toward Ryuki, opening his Metalvisor and sliding a card in.

Final Vent: Heavy Pressure

"Metalgelas!" Gai screamed, his vision turning red and going with the intent to kill. Metal Horn equipped itself to his arm again, and he jumped on top of Metalgelas' shoulders as the monster dashed toward Ryuki.

Strike Vent: Dragknuckle

Ryuki's left fist was encased in a big gauntlet, several times larger than his normal fist. He dashed at Gai, meeting him halfway there, and punched the Metal Horn. The percussion hammer at his elbow nailed down, creating a devastating force that canceled out Gai's Final Vent's force, causing him and Metalgelas to be sent crashing against the ground and forming a huge crater. Gai gasped for air, his armor disappearing, leaving him at the mercy of Ryuki.

"W-wait..." Terunosuke muttered in fear, his eyes returning to normal.

Ryuki aimed his visor at him, charging up an energy blast.'Am I... going to shoot him now...? And...kill him? But he's a person...but he also did horrible things...'

"DON'T DO IT, HAJIME!"

Ryuki shifted his gaze to Jades and the others."Jades-san?"

Maria glared at him in shock."What are you-"

"DON'T KILL HIM!" Jades pleaded."Please! Do it for me! His parents...they don't deserve to bury their child a second time! If you kill a person, you'll never be able to take it back! Don't do it!"

That's when it hit him. Ouja was nowhere to be seen.

Unite Vent

Ryuki felt someone approaching him from behind, and immediately rose his blade, blocking Ouja's pincers after he had transformed into his Dual Mode.

"Look at you. You're like a completely different person compared to the first time we met." Ouja chuckled, raising his second pincers but Ryuki blocked it with his Dragknuckle."You've come a long way."

"Yeah? Thanks." Ryuki kned him in the gut, sending him skidding away. He grimaced when he noticed that the rain had finally started, which would make things difficult for him and his attacks.'Hopefully, it doesn't pour too much.'

'Even with my Dual Mode, I'm being overwhelmed.' Ouja rubbed his aching belly, deciding to take things up a notch.

Final Vent: Doomsday

Genocider screeched loudly, a hole opening in its stomach as it released its tentacles toward Ryuki. Ouja made a beeline toward him, closing his pincers to form two blades in each of his gauntlets. He jumped in the air, spinning around and heading toward the dragon-themed Rider.

Guard Vent: Dragzweishield

A circular shield appeared on Ryuki's right arm, using it to block the incoming attacks. Ouja yelled, kicking at the shield and trying to break it. However, this had the opposite effect. The shield suddenly released an explosion of flames, propelling him back to Genocider. He called back his beast before he could get sucked into the black hole, causing him to roll on the ground.

"This...is how a fight should be!" Ouja chuckled, a cold sweat dripping down the back of his neck."What? Where did he go?"

In effect, Ryuki was gone from his position, leaving only a cloud of dust behind.

Booster Vent

Ouja was sent flying like a ragdoll repeatedly by Ryuki, who had equipped his boosters on his body, increasing his speed and leaving a trail of fire behind as he moved.

'I-I can't believe it...how many times has he punched me? I lost count at 15...I can't believe this!' Ouja couldn't help but gawk at Ryuki, who was now in front of him, winding his Dragknuckle back.

"THIS IS FOR GORO-SENPAI!"

Ouja rose his swords, using them to block the punch that had defeated Gai. The impact was so strong that it broke his gauntlets, and reverted him to his base form.

"I...I didn't think he'd be this powerful." Ouja panted, standing back up with great difficulty, pieces of his armor falling off after the barrage of punches.."Where does he get all this strength from? It's not the same emotion that I felt back then. It's not hope. So what is it?"

Drill Vent

Ouja looked down below, leaning backward and barely avoiding Imperer as he came out of the ground, spinning at his speeds like a drill."What the-"

Raia appeared next to him, attempting to punch him but the assassin jumped back, landing next to Terunosuke."We should call it a day for now."

"What?! No! They have to die!" Terunosuke snarled"They have to die!"

"And we will die if we're not smart about this." Ouja took out a familiar red vial from his pocket, breaking it, and teleported them away."We'll see each other again some other time."

"You stupid ass kids! Kirika, Shirabe, Raiden, Andreas! One day you will realize the hard way! The only way to gain things in life is by taking them away from others! That's how kids turn into adults!" Terunosuke screamed in frustration as they were teleported away.

"Those crystals!" Maria cried in shock."Those are the ones that Autoscorer attacked Tsubasa and I used!"

"Could it be they're working together now?" Raia grimaced at the thought.

"Just when we thought the enemy was strong, they allied with them." Kirika sighed."This is so not fair-desu."

"It is worrisome..." Shirabe frowned."If they're working together, then that means Teru-nii and Cypher-san can have their powers upgraded by Bragard and Carol."

Ryuki approached the group, reverting to his base form to conserve energy."Phew...I don't feel as winded as before. Guess I'm getting the hang of this."

"Maria..." Jades approached the pinkette, grabbing her shoulder."Are you okay? Your face-"

"What were you thinking?!" Maria slapped Jades in the face, catching the silver-haired man and the group by surprise."Why?! Why did you tell Hajime-chan to let Terunosuke go?!"

"Maria, I-" Ryuki tried butting in, but Maria silenced him with a glare.

"Do you realize the danger you're putting us in by letting that psycho run free?!" She jabbed her finger against his chest, tears glistening in her eyes."He wants to kill us! Look around you! Look at this place!"

In effect, the cemetery had been desecrated completely."All these graves...all these people who are resting in peace. He didn't give a single shit. All the students he got killed at Kaiser Academy. He tried making Raiden kill Andreas. And despite all of that, you wanted to let him live?!"

"Maria, his parents." Jades scowled."I can't do that to them. I-"

"He doesn't care about them!" She exploded, unable to contain her tears of frustration."Unlike us, he has a family to come back to and he doesn't care about them! He only cares about himself. I'm glad Serena never got to see this. She...would have been devastated. Maybe...maybe before we could have saved him. But now? He's far beyond our reach. What will it take for you to understand that? Do one of us have to die for you to finally decide to put a stop to him?"

The kids remained silent, taken aback by Maria's outburst.

"Maria, please calm down." Kirika grabbed Maria's hand."This isn't like you."

"We know you're worried about us." Shirabe said, grabbing her other hand."But Jades-nii-chan is also worried."

"He just doesn't know what to think." Andreas suggested, glancing at his older brother."Right?"

"Maria." Jades knelt in front of them, grabbing her hands and bowing his head."I swear on my life I will never let any of you die. Not by Terunosuke or by anyone else. I know it's selfish of me to ask. But please...let me be the one to deal with Terunosuke. I want to at least try one more time to reason with him. I want to at least try and stop him and not see him die again. If he doesn't...then I will agree to do it. I'll be the one to put him down. For his own sake. I just...he was our brother. I still believe that our time together with him meant something. I lost two brothers and a sister already. I can't lose another one...I can't..."

Maria's gaze softened, kneeling in front of him."Oh, Jades...I just don't want the kids to be in danger. I couldn't take it if they were to die. I want what's best for them. They deserve it."

"I know..." Jades rose his head, his tears streaming down his cheeks."I want the best for them too...And you."

"We never imagined things would turn out this way." Shirabe glanced over to Raia."Back then, we used to think Gai was someone completely different that had killed both Atticus-nii-chan and Jades-nii-chan. But it turned out to have been Teru-nii-chan all along."

"I wish we could just be a normal family. All of us." Andreas lamented, receiving a pat on the back from Raia.

"We are a family. We're missing a few members, but we still have each other."

"That's right. This is what Mom would have wanted." Kirika nodded."For all of us to be together and protect each other. We'll protect you too, Jades-nii-chan. Just like you protected us. We can help you defeat Teru-nii. He's also our responsibility too."

"No." Jades shook his head."I refuse."

"But why?! Are you going to carry the pain on your own again?!" Raiden cried out."Do you still not trust us to be capable of that too?!

"It's not that. But this is a type of pain...that I never want you to experience. The pain of killing someone who was once close to you. Maria. I know I'm putting you guys in danger. But allow me to take responsibility for my actions. If Terunosuke won't accept our help. Then I'll be the one to end it. For his sake and for the sake of all the innocents he's killed."

"I just hope you don't come to regret this decision." Maria engulfed him in a hug, followed by the others who joined in too."But...we will stand with you. No matter what."

Ryuki smiled at the image, finding himself a bit jealous of their bond.'If only our family was as united as theirs.'

"Hajime-kun! Do you read me?!"

"Loud and clear, Commander." Ryuki stepped to the side, answering his communicator."I just fought against Ouja and Gai. We have bad news. Apparently, they're working with-"

"You can explain that later! Hibiki-kun is being attacked!"

"WHAT?!"

A few minutes earlier, in the deepest part of an alley, the screams of a girl were drowned out by the rain as she gave out her last scream before a pair of scissors slashed her throat open.

"What? Done already?" Chiaki groaned in disappointment, her uniform stained in blood. However, she adopted a maniacal grin, standing up with her hands splayed."Is it finally time to play?! Time to finally kill that bitch?!"

Her sclera turned pitch black as she stuck her tongue out, revealing a small crimson-colored crystal underneath."Let's make this memorable! For all eternity!"

And that's another chapter done. More about Bragard's goal was revealed as well as Damian and Garie sharing a moment together, finally being honest about themselves. And the reunion of the FIS family with their loathsome brother.