Kamen Rider SideRide Chronicles: Oscura's Encore
Requiem VI: Jyamar Ball Game, the Second Half
"Took you guys long enough," Sasha complained as Luz and Amity returned with Marcy. "And what were you doing with them?"
"Just smoothing things over," Marcy answered.
"Guys, may I have your attention?" Luz asked. "I understand that this game is pitting us against each other. But our real enemies are the Jyamatos and we can only beat them if we score more than they do by the end of this game."
"That's going to be hard," Marco said. "Because the two players with the lowest scores are gonna get disqualified."
Luz scowled. That was what everyone was afraid of. They all wanted to beat the Jyamatos but they all wanted to stay in the Desire Grand Prix to get their wish too. If they did win, two of them would still be retired in the end.
"Guys, I think it's more important that we save the city," Molly said. "And let whatever happens, happen."
"Molly's right," Anne agreed. "I want to stay in the game and have my wish granted too, but I'm not going to let my desire put people in danger."
"Anne, do you know what you're saying?" Sasha questioned, worriedly. "What about our promise to go to the finals together?"
"This is more than about our wishes, it's about saving the city. If I get disqualified in the end, then so be it," Anne resolved.
"Spoken like a true Kamen Rider," Marcy approved but Sasha still did not like it.
"Alright, everyone. The second half of the Jyamar Ball game has begun," Tsumuri informed them. "Good luck, Kamen Riders! Now, Mission Start!"
The second half had begun and the Riders were transported back to the city. Amity wore her game face but her face…well…when she saw who she was with.
"Wait, where's Luz?" Amity asked as she only saw Anne, Sasha and Molly with her.
"And are those Jyamato cheerleaders?" Anne asked, pointing to the sidelines. There was a group of five Pawn Jyamatos who were dressed as cheerleaders, complete with pompoms.
"Jya! Jya Jya! Jya!" the Cheerleader Jyamatos cheered as they shook their pom poms.
Meanwhile, Luz was transported elsewhere in the city, along with Marco and Marcy. They also spotted the Cheerleader Jyamatos.
"Whoa, Jyamato cheerleaders," Marco remarked.
"OK, this is different," Luz remarked. Her Spider Phone went off and she looked at the notification. "'For the second half, the teams have been divided'."
"Looks like we're playing two games at the same time," Marcy concluded since she did not see Anne and Sasha with them.
"And Amity's probably with Waybright," Luz frowned. 'Focus, Luz. Amity can handle it.'
[Set!]
"Henshin!"
[MAGNUM! READY, FIGHT!]
[Set!]
"Henshin!" Marco called.
[Dual On! Armed Water! Armed Shield! Ready, Fight!]
Marco had decided to use his two Raise Buckles together, equipping himself with the Raise Armour on his top and lower halves. This also granted him the Raise Shield which was equipped on his left arm.
"Henshin!" Marcy called.
[NINJA! READY, FIGHT!]
"Whatever you do, don't let them score!"Lechuz ordered as her team prepared to fight.
"Henshin!"
[ZOMBIE!]
[MONSTER!]
[BEAT!]
[READY, FIGHT!]
[Dual On! Armed Propeller! Armed Hammer! Ready? Fight!]
Like Marco, Molly also decided to employ both her Raise Buckles, utilizing the Raise Hammer and Raise Propeller for melee.
Jyamato Team: 40 pts.
Kamen Rider Lechuz: 8 pts.
Kamen Rider Soaron: 6 pts.
Kamen Rider Qrok: 5 pts.
Kamen Rider Newtonne: 5 pts.
Kamen Rider Gato: 5 pts.
Kamen Rider Joy: 3 pts.
Kamen Rider Kata: 0 pts.
Total for Rider Team: 32 pts.
Gato took a moment to look at the scores. So far, Lechuz was still in the lead with Soaron behind her. Gato, Qrok and Newtonne had five points each. Joy was second to last place and Kata was in last place without any points at all. She glanced at her teammates. While the main objective was to prevent the Jyamatos from scoring more goals, they were also competing against each other for points to stay in the game. Sasha would no doubt try to score points at the other players' expense.
Why would the DGP give them such a dilemma?
[GAME START!]
30:00
The clock started, beginning the second half. The ball dropped from the sky, landing in the middle of the street. As soon as they saw the ball, both teams rushed straight at it.
"Take this!" Qrok threw a punch, knocking back a BB Jyamato. As she lunged for the ball, a fireball sent her flying back.
"Anne!" Soaron shouted as she knocked away a couple of Jyamatos, only to receive a barrage of fireballs.
The Captain Jyamato #1 was hanging back, providing cover fire for its teammates. Gato narrowed her eyes and drew a spell circle before she slammed her Berserclaw on the ground. In puffs of smoke, she conjured multiple illusionary copies of herself which surrounded the Captain Jyamato #1. The Captain Jyamato #1 attacked the copies, which went poof as they were struck, frustrating it.
"Molly!" Gato shouted and the rabbit-themed Rider nodded as she went for the ball. She swung her Raise Hammer left and right, knocking aside the BB Jyamatos and clearing a path for herself. One tried to deliver a right hook but she ducked and slid along the ground before she scooped up the ball.
"Going up!" Joy thrust her right arm into the air as she summoned the Raise Propeller. As she jumped into the air, the blades spun and she began flying towards the goal.
After dispersing Gato's illusions, the Captain Jyamato #1 spotted the rabbit Rider and aimed its cannon arm, but just before it could fire, something struck it from behind, causing it to stagger forward as sparks flew from its back. The Captain Jyamato #1 turned its head around just in time to see Gato raise her Zombie Breaker and slash at its back, again.
"You're not getting that ball!" Gato shouted.
The monster quickly turned its body and was about to fire on her, but Gato ducked low as she spun on her heel and slashed the Captain Jyamato #1 several more times across its stomach before stopping. After that, she slashed upwards with her Berserclaw, sending the Captain Jyamato #1 stumbling backwards. It stopped itself before retaliating with a wide punch. The Rider blocked the punch with the flat of her sword before she pushed back against the monster, and then landed a kick to its chest, throwing the Captain Jyamato #1 onto its back.
Meanwhile, Joy spotted the goal ring and threw the ball. As the ball sailed towards the goal, Qrok struck the ground beneath her, creating enough force to launch herself into the air. Qrok put herself on an intercept path as the ball neared the goal and kicked it away, denying Joy her goal.
"Hey!" Joy shouted and followed the ball with her gaze, watching it land in Soaron's hand.
"Sorry, but you snooze, you lose, bunny girl!" Soaron tossed the ball up and then whacked it with her Beat Axe, sending it flying through the goal ring.
Jyamato Team: 40 pts.
Kamen Rider Lechuz: 8 pts.
Kamen Rider Soaron: 11 pts.
Kamen Rider Qrok: 5 pts.
Kamen Rider Newtonne: 5 pts.
Kamen Rider Gato: 5 pts.
Kamen Rider Joy: 3 pts.
Kamen Rider Kata: 0 pts.
Total for Rider Team: 37 pts.
That was good news for the Rider team, and yet Joy could only glare at Soaron and Qrok as they stopped her from scoring a goal. She watched the two girls exchange high fives and clenched her fists at their underhanded move.
"Thanks, Anne!" Soaron smiled. "Just for that, the next goal is yours."
"Good," Qrok cracked her knuckles when she saw the ball drop.
[Revolve On!]
Qrok's body levitated as she was surrounded by a mechanical ring which turned her upside down. Her hands and feet switched places as her head retracted into her torso before they popped out of the spot that used to be her spot. This also converted her Monster Armor into its lower body configuration. Now the star-shaped armour was set on her knees and she had the Big Boots on her feet.
"I see where you're going with this," Soaron grinned as she hit the Elementadrum button on her Beat Axe.
[Metal Thunder!]
"Get ready for a storm!"
[TACTICAL THUNDER!]
Soaron smirked as she strummed the Beat Axe furiously, calling down lightning bolts from the cloudless sky. The BB Jyamatos scrambled for safety as they were assaulted by the lightning bolts that crashed down from the sky. The ground exploded around them, throwing them in every direction, and keeping them far from the ball. With the path cleared, Qrok ran straight for the ball.
Gato was headed for the ball as well but the Captain Jyamato #1 was not in the mood to let her get away as it attacked. The cat Rider deflected the enemy's fireball blasts with the Zombie Breaker and retaliated with a drawn spell circle that caused several stone pillars to jut out around the Captain Jyamato #1. The Captain Jyamato #1 fired several cannon blasts that broke the pillars apart before it fired upon her.
'Dammit! This thing is not going to let me get the ball!' Gato thought as stood behind a shield spell to protect herself from the Captain Jyamato.
Once she reached the ball, Qrok scooped it up. As soon as they saw her with the ball, the BB Jyamatos charged at her. The frog Rider swiftly defended herself with a knee strike, hitting one of them in the chest as a star symbol flashed upon impact. The BB Jyamato was sent flying into its comrades, knocking them down like bowling pins.
Another BB Jyamato came to attack her from behind, but Qrok went into a backflip and landed behind the Jyamato before nailing it with a strong kick that sent it flying. More BB Jyamatos tried to bum-rush her, but Qrok smirked as she tossed the ball into the air, momentarily distracting them.
[MONSTER STRIKE!]
Qrok raised her left leg and smashed it into the ground, sending a star-shaped shockwave that spread around her. The shockwave created a star-shaped crater and tossed the BB Jyamatos into the air. As soon as the ball fell back down, Qrok struck it with a spinning kick that sent it shooting straight for the goal like a rocket. The BB Jyamatos couldn't do anything but watch as the ball passed through the goal ring, scoring more points for herself and the Riders.
Jyamato Team: 40 pts.
Kamen Rider Lechuz: 8 pts.
Kamen Rider Soaron: 11 pts.
Kamen Rider Qrok: 10 pts.
Kamen Rider Newtonne: 5 pts.
Kamen Rider Gato: 5 pts.
Kamen Rider Joy: 3 pts.
Kamen Rider Kata: 0 pts.
Total for Rider Team: 42 pts.
"Nice one, Anne!" Soaron praised and Qrok gave her friend a victory sign.
[Twin Blade!]
Newtonne had split her Ninja Dueler into its separate Twin Blade Mode and used them to swipe at the Jyamatos as they tried to get to the ball. At the same time, Lechuz provided cover fire with her Magnum Shooter, pushing them back. Kata decided to take advantage of this and went to grab the ball. However, he was met with a kick to the chest from the Captain Jyamaro #2.
"Ugh!" Kata cried out as he was sent tumbling by the Captain Jyamato's kick.
Levelling its cannon arm, it shot fireballs at Newtonne and Lechuz, prompting them to jump out of the way. Once they were out of the way, the Captain Jyamato #2 loaded its arm cannon with the ball and took aim, looking straight at a goal ring. It charged up and fired, releasing the ball at breakneck speed.
"No, you don't!" Kata shouted as he jumped in the path of the ball to block. The ball hit him right in the family jewels with a horrible crunch.
*CRUNCH!*
"KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
Kata let loose a bloodcurdling scream as the other Riders all flinched. Even the Jyamatos grabbed their groins out of sympathetic pain. Kata landed on his feet, legs crossed, before finally falling over. His rear was in the air, with his hands cupping his aching groin as he trembled in excruciating pain.
"Are you OK!?" Newtonne yelled as she knelt beside Kata.
"…I'm OK," Kata squeaked unconvincingly as he gave her a thumbs up.
"That was a beautiful sacrifice," Newtonne said dramatically as she wiped an imaginary tear from her helmet and took the ball. "Thanks for taking one for the team. I shall avenge you and the future children you shall not be able to have after this! This will be for you, fallen comrade!"
"…Just let me lie down a bit…and get me some ice."
"Kage Bushin no Jutsu!" Newtonne yelled and she manifested an army of clones to confuse the Jyamatos as each clone also held the ball. Newtonne and her clones charged forward as the Jyamatos tried to stop them, but the clones went poof, allowing the real one to run by the Jyamatos. As the Captain Jyamato #2 fired at her, she jumped into the air. Using the explosion to boost her speed, she flung herself at the ring and threw the ball, scoring a goal.
Jyamato Team: 40 pts.
Kamen Rider Soaron: 11 pts.
Kamen Rider Qrok: 10 pts.
Kamen Rider Lechuz: 8 pts.
Kamen Rider Newtonne: 8 pts.
Kamen Rider Gato: 5 pts.
Kamen Rider Joy: 3 pts.
Kamen Rider Kata: 0 pts.
Total for Rider Team: 45 pts.
Lechuz frowned. She was partly happy that they were in the lead but also unhappy since this could risk her and Gato's rankings. They needed to stay in the game so that they could get their wishes granted.
She looked at her gun and then back at Newtonne. She considered sabotaging her but shook her head.
'You can just claim it was an accident. Just a case of friendly fire.'
"No," Lechuz objected, shaking her head. She would not play dirty, not after asking Marcy to trust her.
The ball dropped and Lechuz caught it.
"Sweet! I was under the ball respawn point!" Lechuz exclaimed happily. Blinking, she realized this made her a target as all the BB Jyamatos turned and glared right at her. "OH, CRAP! I WAS UNDER THE RESPAWN POINT!"
The BB Jyamatos for Lechuz from all sides. She fired at them but there were too many.
[NINJA STRIKE!]
Suddenly, Lechuz was saved as a green blur came with the speed of the wind and slashed at the BB Jyamatos. None of them saw it coming as the figure struck them down, going after one after another. Lechuz could barely follow the figure's movements but saw the result as each Jyamato fell and exploded. The figure then landed in front of Lechuz, revealing themselves to be Newtonne.
"Marcy!?" Lechuz squawked.
"What are you waiting for?! Go for the goal!" Newtonne yelled.
Lechuz did not waste time and rushed towards the goal. Holding the ball under one arm, she charged like a football player. She fired her gun at the remaining BB Jyamatos and pistol-whipped the ones that got too close to taking the ball. As they went to tackle her, she jumped over them as they slid under her. Another Jyamato tried to grab the ball but she delivered a roundhouse kick that sent it sprawling.
The Captain Jyamato #2 aimed its cannon arm at Lechuz and fired but then Kata intercepted and held up his Raise Shield, taking the blast that sent him skidding back. He turned to see Lechuz coming close and crouched, holding up his shield. Lechuz knew what he was planning and leapt onto the shield. Kata then pushed up, launching Lechuz into the air and she threw the ball with all her might, sending it through the goal.
Jyamato Team: 40 pts.
Kamen Rider Lechuz: 13 pts.
Kamen Rider Soaron: 11 pts.
Kamen Rider Qrok: 10 pts.
Kamen Rider Newtonne: 8 pts.
Kamen Rider Gato: 5 pts.
Kamen Rider Joy: 3 pts.
Kamen Rider Kata: 0 pts.
Total for Rider Team: 50 pts.
Lechuz landed and looked at Kata.
"Thanks for the boost," Lechuz said gratefully, smiling.
"No problem," Kata smiled.
"But what about your points?"
"I can catch up," Kata shrugged. "Besides, it's more important we save this city than worry about our individual points, right?"
"Yes…" Lechuz slowly nodded. "But you should try and earn your own points too if you want to stay in the game, Marco."
"Don't worry about me," Kata replied as the ball suddenly dropped at their feet. He picked it up and tossed it before he swung his Raise Water like a baseball bat, sending it through the goal ring.
Jyamato Team: 40 pts.
Kamen Rider Lechuz: 13 pts.
Kamen Rider Soaron: 11 pts.
Kamen Rider Qrok: 10 pts.
Kamen Rider Newtonne: 8 pts.
Kamen Rider Gato: 5 pts.
Kamen Rider Joy: 3 pts.
Kamen Rider Kata: 3 pts.
Total for Rider Team: 53 pts.
"Nice," Lechuz praised.
"Like I said, don't wor–" He saw one of the BB Jyamatos had the ball now and was headed for the Captain Jyamato. "CRAP!"
The Riders quickly went to intercept the BB Jyamato but they were quickly swarmed by its teammates. The BB Jyamato handed the ball to the Captain Jyamato #2 and it shot it through a goal ring.
Jyamato Team: 45 pts.
Kamen Rider Lechuz: 13 pts.
Kamen Rider Soaron: 11 pts.
Kamen Rider Qrok: 10 pts.
Kamen Rider Newtonne: 8 pts.
Kamen Rider Gato: 5 pts.
Kamen Rider Joy: 3 pts.
Kamen Rider Kata: 3 pts.
Total for Rider Team: 53 pts.
[TACTICAL BREAK!]
Gato slashed the Captain Jyamato #1 with her charged Zombie Breaker and watched as it exploded.
"That takes care of that," Gato said in satisfaction. Now that the Jyamatos had lost their Captain, they would not be able to get any high scores. Suddenly, the Captain Jyamato #1 respawned. "Seriously!?"
The Captain Jyamato #1 swung its vines at Gato, striking her across the chest. As she stumbled backwards, it fired its cannon arm, knocking her to the ground.
Joy caught the ball as it dropped and flew through the air. The BB Jyamato leapt up to grab her, and one of them managed to grab her foot.
"Hey, leggo!" Joy shouted as she began to lose control while trying to throw the Jyamato off. This made her a target for the Captain Jyamato #1 and it aimed its cannon at her to shoot her out of the sky. Before it could fire its shot, sparks erupted from its back as Qrok kicked it, sending it stumbling forward.
"Not gonna let you do that, dude," Qrok said. Soaron frowned as she saw her friend help Joy instead of waiting for the Jyamato to fire at her.
The Captain Jyamato #1 spun around to attack Qrok, but the frog Rider ducked just as the monster fired its cannon arm. She swept its legs out from under it, and before it hit the ground, Qrok threw a spinning thrust kick into its face. A star pattern made of light exploded upon impact, sending the monster flying into the wall of a building.
Gato looked up at Joy and cast a spell circle before she shot a fireball at the Jyamato holding her foot. It cried out as it let go before it crashed to the ground. Joy was grateful and she threw the ball into the goal ring.
Jyamato Team: 45 pts
Kamen Rider Lechuz: 13 pts
Kamen Rider Soaron: 11 pts
Kamen Rider Qrok: 10 pts
Kamen Rider Newtonne: 8 pts
Kamen Rider Joy: 6 pts
Kamen Rider Gato: 5 pts
Kamen Rider Kata: 3 pts
Total for Rider Team: 56 pts
"You know, Blight, I thought you were smart," Soaron remarked.
"What do you want, Waybright?" Gato retorted.
"Oh, just want to tell you that you're now at the bottom two. If we win this game, you're going home with another loser. And yet you're still gonna risk it all by helping a weakling," Soaron told her.
"You play the game your way, and I'll play it my way," Gato said before she went for the ball after it dropped out of the sky. Soaron just shrugged as she went for the ball as well.
The Captain Jyamato #1 fired at the Riders but they burst through the smoke as they aimed to grab the ball. It pointed at the Riders, sending his horde of BB Jyamatos to stop them. The Cheerleader Jyamatos cheered loudly, hoping their side would win.
"Jya! Jya, jya, jya! Jya, jya, jya! Jyaaaaa!"
The Riders fought the Jyamatos that tried to stop them, breaking through them. At the same time, the Captain Jyamato #1 casually walked towards the ball and picked it up. It loaded its cannon arm and aimed for the goal. With a loud boom, the ball flew through the goal ring, earning the Jyamato Team five more points.
Jyamato Team: 50 pts.
Kamen Rider Lechuz: 13 pts.
Kamen Rider Soaron: 11 pts.
Kamen Rider Qrok: 10 pts.
Kamen Rider Newtonne: 8 pts.
Kamen Rider Joy: 6 pts.
Kamen Rider Gato: 5 pts.
Kamen Rider Kata: 3 pts.
Total for Rider Team: 56 pts.
Back with Luz's team, the BB Jyamatos blocked the Riders as their team captain scored another goal.
Jyamato Team: 55 pts.
Kamen Rider Lechuz: 13 pts.
Kamen Rider Soaron: 11 pts.
Kamen Rider Qrok: 10 pts.
Kamen Rider Newtonne: 8 pts.
Kamen Rider Joy: 6 pts.
Kamen Rider Gato: 5 pts.
Kamen Rider Kata: 3 pts.
Total for Rider Team: 56 pts.
Lechuz saw the score and grimaced. The Jyamatos were catching up. She checked the clock and saw that they were running out of time. If the Jyamatos scored another goal, they would be in the lead.
She fired at the Jyamatos as she ran towards the ball but she was intercepted by the Captain Jyamato #2 who hit her with an uppercut, knocking her back. It then kicked the ball with all its might, sending it flying through the goal.
Jyamato Team: 60 pts
Kamen Rider Lechuz: 13 pts
Kamen Rider Soaron: 11 pts
Kamen Rider Qrok: 10 pts
Kamen Rider Newtonne: 8 pts
Kamen Rider Joy: 6 pts
Kamen Rider Gato: 5 pts
Kamen Rider Kata: 3 pts
Total for Rider Team: 56 pts
The ball respawned again and Lechuz's eyes narrowed. For a brief moment, they flashed purple as she rose to her feet. The BB Jyamatos rushed straight at the ball to claim it. Lechuz quickly tossed the ball into the air, detached the Magnum Buckle and attached it to the Mangum shooter before activating its finisher.
[MAGNUM TACTICAL BLAST!]
Lechuz aimed her Magnum Shooter and pulled the trigger. A powerful energy blast was released from the muzzle as it roared towards the incoming BB Jyamatos. The creatures had no time to evade as all of them were struck by the blast, creating a cascade of explosions that erupted in front of Lechuz and sent the foolish monsters to oblivion. The beam fizzled out after a few seconds and she saw the ball roll out of the smoke cloud and stop at her feet. She picked it up, and glared at the remaining Jyamatos, daring them to stop her.
The other BB Jyamatos were frozen in fear but the Captain Jyamato #1 steeled itself to confront her. It swung its vines at her but she sidestepped them before she ran straight towards it. Lechuz managed to get in close where neither its cannon arm nor vines could be used effectively. Once she had, Lechuz raised her Magnum Shooter and smashed the barrel straight into its face. Upon doing so, Lechuz pulled the trigger multiple times, blasting the monster in the face again and again before it finally fell to the ground with its head smoking from the repeated point-blank-range energy rounds. The monster raised its arm shakily as if still trying to fight back, but Lechuz raised her right foot and stomped the monster's skull straight into the pavement, cracking the asphalt while leaving its head was buried in the small crater she had made for it.
Meanwhile, Kata and Newtonne were stunned by the brutal display, but the latter was not surprised. This was Lechuz's power after all.
Jyamato Team: 60 pts.
Kamen Rider Lechuz: 13 pts.
Kamen Rider Soaron: 11 pts.
Kamen Rider Qrok: 10 pts.
Kamen Rider Newtonne: 8 pts.
Kamen Rider Joy: 6 pts.
Kamen Rider Gato: 5 pts.
Kamen Rider Kata: 3 pts.
Total for Rider Team: 56 pts.
Gato saw the current score and the time they had left. The Jyamatos were in the lead and they only had less than two minutes left on the clock. They needed to score a win or else the Jyamatos would be victorious.
The ball respawned and was about to drop into the hands of the Captain Jyamato #1 but Joy was not about to let them happen.
"Oh, no you don't!" Joy shouted and she threw her Raise Hammer, hitting the Captain Jyamato #1 in the face, causing it to stagger back and miss the ball. Qrok and Soaron knocked aside the Jyamatos and went for the ball. They almost had it until Joy swooped it and scooped it up. Instead of going for the goal herself, she tossed the ball to Gato. "GO!"
The cat Rider did not question Joy's help. Holding the ball with her Berserclaw, Gato ran straight for the goal. The BB Jyamatos tried to stop her but she struck them down with her Zombie Breaker. Meanwhile, the Captain Jyamato #2 had positioned it under the goal ring. It levelled its cannon arm, ready to blast the witch once she was close enough.
The Captain Jyamato was sent staggering backwards as Lechuz struck it across the face with her Magnum Shooter. Ducking under a swing, she shot it in the stomach. Kata and Newtonne were busy fighting the BB Jyamatos so she was on her own.
The Captain Jyamato #1 raised its cannon arm to fire at Lechuz, only for her to stuff the muzzle of her Magnum Shooter down its barrel. She pulled the trigger, causing the monster's cannon arm to explode.
"JYAAAAA!" it howled in pain as it recoiled before Lechuz knocked it to the ground with a roundhouse kick then she stomped its face in repeatedly.
If anyone saw her face behind her mask, they would see that she was grinning.
The Captain Jyamato #1 had Lechuz wrapped with its vines, stopping her. However, she did not appear to be straining against them. She dug in her heels and swung her body to the left, lifting the Captain Jyamato #1's body off the ground. She then spun around and around, taking the Captain Jyamato #1 for a ride before she fired at the vines holding her, shredding them. The Captain Jyamato went sailing until it crashed into a wall.
The Captain Jyamato #1 was fighting Gato for the ball. She kept a firm grip on it as it punched her in the face. Breaking away from it, she slashed it with the Zombie Breaker. In retaliation, it blasted her with its cannon arm, sending her sailing. She went into a tumble, dropping her sword but still holding the ball. Groaning, she picked herself up and saw the Captain Jyamato #1 coming at her.
Drawing a spell circle, she slammed the ground and then conjured a huge stone hand that smacked the Captain Jyamato aside. She then looked up at the clock and saw that time was quickly running out.
[Revolve On!]
Picking herself up, Gato put the ball down and then used the Revolve On function of her Driver to switch her body around, putting her Zombie Armour on her lower body. The Zombie Armor now covered her legs with spiked purple and silver armour. The chestplate had become thigh armour while the pauldrons turned into knee pads. On her right foot, she wore the Berserclaw.
In Gravesfield High School, when Luz joined the baseball team, Amity opted to play soccer instead.
[ZOMBIE STRIKE!]
After casting a quick spell on the ball, she kicked her Berserclaw into it, sending it flying as it was covered in purple fire made of magic and Zombie energy.
Instead of targeting Gato, the Captain Jyamato #1 started firing on the purple fireball, believing that it could alter the course or hinder it. Several explosions went off around the purple fireball, but it just kept going. Thanks to Gato's spell, there was no way of stopping it.
The Captain Jyamato #1 channelled as much of its power as it could and fired a bigger blast than before. The energy ball intercepted the fireball and exploded, taking out the fireball with it.
The Captain Jyamato #2 charged at Lechuz to take the ball from her but she was not about to let it happen. Tossing the ball up, she levelled her Magnum Shooter after equipping it with her Magnum Buckle.
Everything happened in slow motion, at least for Lechuz as she became hyper-focused on her next move. The ball was slowly falling and the Captain Jyamato #2 was approaching while the owl-themed Rider got into firing position. The ball fell inch by inch as she waited for it to enter her sight. Once the ball fell right in front of the muzzle, she pulled the trigger. A charged-up blast exploded from the barrel, sending the ball flying like a missile.
[MAGNUM TACTICAL BLAST!]
The Captain Jyamato #2 decided it was going to take one for the team and used its own body to intercept the ball. That proved to be a mistake. The ball was wrapped up in the Mangum Shooter's energy blast, so once the ball struck the Captain Jyamato #2's chest, it didn't stop. The monster began releasing grunting noises as it tried to withstand the attack, but it was no use. The ball started to burn a hole into the Captain Jyamato #2, until it eventually burst through its back, leaving a smoking hole where it had pierced through. Despite the initial block, this did not kill any of the ball's momentum as it continued to soar towards the goal ring.
For a moment, Soaron, Qrok, and Joy thought it was over, that they had lost.
Suddenly, the purple fireball burst from the smoke and passed through the goal, giving the Kamen Riders the points they needed to win.
At the same time, Lechuz's ball passed through the goal, earning the Rider Team the points they needed to win.
Jyamato Team: 60 pts.
Kamen Rider Lechuz: 18 pts.
Kamen Rider Soaron: 11 pts.
Kamen Rider Qrok: 10 pts.
Kamen Rider Gato: 10 pts.
Kamen Rider Newtonne: 8 pts.
Kamen Rider Joy: 6 pts.
Kamen Rider Kata: 3 pts.
Total for Rider Team: 66 pts.
!00:00!
And just then, time was up, signalling the end of the game.
[MISSION CLEARED!]
The Jyamatos suddenly fell to their knees and exploded.
Back at the Desire Temple, the points were on display on the holographic screen.
"Congratulations, Kamen Riders, for winning the Jyamar Ball game!" Tsumuri praised before her smile turned into a frown. "Unfortunately, the two of you will not be able to continue. Marco Diaz, Molly McGee, you both scored the lowest. Therefore, you will be retired."
"It was fun while it lasted," Marco smiled without any regrets. "At least we saved the city."
"Yeah," Molly agreed, smiling.
"Molly, why did you give me the ball at the last second?" Amity asked. "You could have stayed in the game."
"My wish is to make everyone happy, Amity," Molly told her. "And I think you'd be happy to stay in the game with Luz."
"Thank you," Amity said gratefully as she smiled and hugged the younger girl.
"Hey," Marco walked up to Luz.
"Hey," Luz replied.
"Good job scoring at the last second," Marco praised.
"No problem, but we were three points shy of the magic number," Luz remarked. Marco blinked before he got the joke and chuckled with her.
"Yeah, what a shame." Marco held up his right fist to her and and said, "Haz lo mejor que puedas y no dejes que los monstruos pierdan. (Do your best, and don't let those monsters win.)"
Luz's eyes widened. Marco did know Spanish, and yet this whole time he didn't say a word about what she discussed with Amity and her mother.
The Latina smiled and they shared a fist bump.
"Juro que no dejaré que gane el Jyamatos. ¡Cuenta con eso! (I swear I won't let the Jyamatos win. Count on it!)"
[Retired!]
Molly disappeared while still in Amity's embrace and Marco kept his smile while his fist was still pressed against Luz's, leaving behind their Desire Drivers.
"Alright, girls! Let's celebrate!" Sasha cheered as she put her arms around Marcy and Anne. "Final three, here we come!"
"One more thing, the person who scored the most points during the last game has earned a special prize," Tsumuri said as she handed Luz a unique Mission Box. It was indigo with her ID Core emblem on top. "I suggest you open this when you're alone. It was made just for you."
Sasha's mood was brought down a little after hearing that Luz just got a special item, and one made especially for her at that. Anne seemed to notice her friend's mood and decided to defuse it.
"H-Hey! Let's hit my folks' restaurant! I'll even cook!"
Sasha, for some reason, blushed when she heard that last part and decided to forget about whatever prize Luz just got.
"Oh~, is that so? Well, I'd hate to miss out on Boonchuy cooking! Lead the way, Anne!" Sasha announced.
'Nice save, Anne,' Marcy thought.
"Hey, how are you gonna explain me being there?" Marcy asked.
"Don't worry, Marce. Let me take care of everything," Sasha assured her. "I'll just tell Anne's folks you came to visit and are staying at my place."
Now with only five competitors left, it was almost close to the end of the Desire Grand Prix.
Luz was at her desk while Vee slept in the top bunk. She turned on her laptop and began recording in her video diary. After each round of the Desire Grand Prix, Luz decided to make a video diary. She made sure that nobody heard her. Vee was a deep sleeper so there was no chance of her overhearing her sister.
"So, Marco and Molly have been retired from the game. Now it's just me, Amity, Anne, Marcy, and - ugh - Sasha. It was really cool of Marco not to say anything about what I talked about with Mamá and Amity. He was a bit of a goofball, but a really nice guy. And Molly, she was so cute and super sweet. I feel like whatever desire she had, it was going to be something that could've helped a lot of people. Wow, now I feel worse about her being retired."
Luz sighed.
"But I can't let that get me down right now. We're so close, and if we win…" Luz smiled a little. "Maybe I can finally start making up for all the mistakes I made as…her." She ran her hand through her hair. It was starting to get long again, which triggered another memory.
A few months had passed since Luz's banishment and Amity's self-exile from the Demon Realm. Things had been going well for the most part. Luz's mother had suggested that she go see a therapist for everything that happened to her. But honestly, what therapist in the world could help her deal with what she went through? If anything, they'd think she had an elaborate and overactive imagination. She did, but that wasn't the point. Thankfully, the work on her novel, 'A Tale of Light and Shadow', was progressing smoothly. It worked as a form of therapy for her, even if it made her relive all the things she did as Oscura.
Luz was burning the midnight oil while working on the novel. She only realized it was pretty late, almost midnight when she checked the clock. She needed to get to bed since she had school in the morning. She hated it but compared to what she went through, school was not the worst thing in the world. She could not wait until Amity finally got enrolled.
'Getting through the day would be a lot more bearable if she was there,' thought Luz.
The young Latina ran her hand through her hair absentmindedly. It was growing longer. She used to have much longer hair when she was younger until, well, let's just say that she should have never used a sword to try and cut her hair. Ever since then, she had been trying to grow it back out to its original length and volume. Long hair might take longer to wash and dry, but she would be happy to have it back.
Luz closed her laptop and headed to the bathroom to wash up before heading to bed. She rubbed her tired eyes as she stood in front of the sink, taking out her toothbrush and toothpaste. When she closed the medicine cabinet, she looked at herself in the mirror and paused. Luz found herself staring at the mirror intensely for a long minute before she shrugged her shoulders, looked down, and turned on the faucet. When she looked back up, her eyes went wide.
Staring back at her was the visage of Empress Oscura. The Dark Empress of the Boiling Isles smiled wickedly at her with eyes full of evil. Luz let out a yell and fell backwards, narrowly missing the toilet. Her heart pounded against her chest, threatening to burst free at any second. The young teen crawled over to the sink, keeping low as she pressed her back against it. Slowly, she rose to her full height and looked back in the mirror to see herself.
However, as she kept looking at herself, she noticed how her hair framed her face in the same manner as it did when she used to be Oscura. It only made sense. When she forged the Philosopher's Stone to break the Everlasting Oath, she rapidly aged into an adult. Eventually, Luz was going to grow up and look just like her. She would have to see Oscura's face in the mirror every day for the rest of her life.
Panic started to grip Luz as she opened the medicine cabinet again and took out a pair of scissors. She began taking locks of her hair and cutting them off.
'You think a different hairdo is going to stop you from seeing me?'
"Shut up!"
'You can't escape me.'
"I'm not you! I'm not you anymore!"
'But I am you and always will be.'
"I'm not you! I'm not you! I'm not you! I'm not you!"
"Luz?" The Latina stopped her frantic cutting and turned to see Amity in the doorway. She stared at Luz with wide eyes, which now rested on the scissors in her hand. "Luz, what's wrong?"
"A-Amity, oh, sorry! D-Did I wake you? J-Just go back to sleep, I-I'm okay," Luz stammered, her hands shaking the whole time. Amity looked back at Luz and moved slowly into the bathroom before closing the door behind her.
"Luz, give me the scissors," Amity requested.
"No, no, it's okay! I'm okay!" Luz insisted.
"Luz, give me the scissors, please."
"It's not what you think! Seriously!" Luz backed up but then remembered that the tub was behind her and she fell in. "Stay back, Amity!"
"I'm not going to hurt you, Luz."
"No, no, you-you still want revenge right?! I'm still…I'm still her! I'm always going to be her!"
Amity drew a spell circle and wrapped her aura around the scissors, yanking them from Luz's hand and having them fly into her hands. Luz's eyes widened with fear as she sat there in the tub and waited for Amity to exact her promise to kill her. Instead of what she was expecting, Amity got in the tub with Luz and hugged her.
"A-Amity…?"
"I've got you, Luz. It's okay. I'm here."
Luz's eyes began to water before she broke down into uncontrollable sobs. Holding Amity, the young Latina buried her face in her chest. The witch girl gently rubbed Luz's back as she held her close.
"I'm sorry…I'm so sorry."
"Shh, shh. It's okay, Luz. I'm right here."
It took about a minute and a half for Luz to calm down.
"Luz, what happened? Why did you have the scissors and…" Amity took a lock of Luz's hair into her hand. "Why did you do this to yourself?"
"I…I saw her in the mirror…I…I saw myself…I'll eventually look like her. I'll look just like her in a few years…Oh God, you'll be seeing her every day…" Luz started to tear up again. "I can't believe I got together with you, not realizing I'll eventually look like the person who hurt your family…I'm so sorry, Amity…"
Amity gently cupped Luz's cheeks with both of her hands and made her turn to face the witch. Luz was silent, not sure what Amity was going to say.
She didn't really say anything, not verbally anyway.
Amity leaned forward and gently pressed her lips against Luz's. The Latina's eyes flew wide as she felt Amity's lips against hers. The panic-induced thumping in her chest was replaced by a different kind of excitement.
Luz forgot about her panic and self-loathing as she closed her eyes and pushed her lips back against Amity's. The witch girl's hands left Luz's face and draped themselves around her shoulders while Luz's hands found themselves wrapping around Amity's waist and bringing her closer.
When the two girls finished their kiss, they parted and looked at each other, both blushing like a couple of school girls.
"Wow…uh…crikey."
Amity tilted her head in confusion.
"Crikey?"
Luz's left eye twitched as she put her hands against her cheeks in embarrassment.
"I can't believe I just said that! I had my first kiss…in a tub…with my hair a mess…and I say 'crikey'?! Ugh, that's so lame!"
"Hahahahaha. Yeah, this is a weird scene for a first kiss. Hahahahahaha!" Amity laughed.
Luz joined in the infectious laughter until the two girls stopped and sat in silence in the tub.
"Thanks, Amity. I needed that."
"Luz, you don't have to be afraid of her anymore. You're not her, you'll never be her. I know you'll grow up and eventually look like her, but that's it. And if you're really afraid of looking like her, maybe I can help?" Amity suggested.
"How? Do you know a spell that can rearrange my face or something?" Luz asked.
"Only if you want the functions of every orifice on your face switched."
"You can do that?" Luz's eyes widened.
"It only happened once when I was learning Healing magic." Amity stood up in the tub and offered Luz her hand. "C'mon, I'll show you."
Luz gingerly took Amity's hand as she helped her out of the tub. Amity put the lid down on the toilet and had Luz sit on it. As the Latina waited patiently, Amity took the scissors and carefully began cutting her hair.
"Luz, I know there's not much I can do to help you overcome your guilt and fears. You'll need to confront those feelings someday. But that doesn't mean you need to do it alone. I'm here for you, Luz. Whether you need a hug, a shoulder to cry on, or if you need a haircut, I'll do it. I...I love you, Luz."
Luz tried to stop herself from tearing up again but she failed as she smiled at Amity. Hearing those three words from Amity somehow soothed the young girl's soul.
"I love you too, Amity."
It took several minutes, but eventually, Amity was done with Luz's hair. The Latina stood up as Amity stepped aside. Luz kept her eyes shut as Amity guided her to the mirror, mostly due to her fear of seeing her dark self in the mirror again.
"Okay, you can open your eyes now," Amity instructed. Luz slowly opened her eyes, and when she did, her smile widened. Amity left enough of her hair for her bangs to come flowing over her ears, while the rest was trimmed with just enough left that it looked good. "So, what do you think?"
"I love it! …Umm…C-Could I get another kiss, please?" Luz looked almost shy when she asked that.
"OK, just one," Amity said before she leaned in and gave Luz a peck on the lips. "There." Luz touched her lips. The feeling lingered but that was not enough. She wanted more. She gave Amity a predatory look that caused a shiver to run up the witch's spine. "Uh…L-Luz?"
All of a sudden, Luz grabbed hold of Amity's wrists and pulled her in to smash their lips together. Amity gasped as Luz hungrily kissed her. It was an open-mouth kiss as Luz used her tongue to pry Amity's lips apart so she could plunder the inside of her mouth with her tongue.
"*Chu* More! *Chu!* More! Mmm! *Chu! Chu!* More!" Luz kept kissing Amity, and with each one the strength in Amity's legs was gradually taken away until the witch girl found herself lying on her back on the bathroom floor. Thankfully, Luz had to stop to breathe. "Muah!"
Amity just laid there, with the look of someone who had their breath taken away, catatonic from Luz's kiss assault.
Luz sighed as she finished recalling the memory.
"That was our first kiss, and also our first French kiss." Luz groaned a little as she hid her face. "Ay, Dios mio. Looking back on it, I totally dommed Amity back then! That was almost something out of a hentai doujin manga!"
The Latina resisted the urge to squeal in embarrassment, remembering that Vee was still slumbering a couple of feet away.
After calming down, Luz continued her entry.
"Anyway, since then, I've had Amity cut my hair. I don't know when I'll get to the point where I feel comfortable having long hair again and not risk having a panic attack from seeing her again. But baby steps, right? One step at a time. Anyway, here's hoping Amity or I will win."
Luz closed the laptop and sighed. She couldn't believe she was so close to fixing her mistakes. Although she may not be able to see it when it happens, Luz knew that, hopefully, this would be a step in the right direction of atoning for her sins. While she was contemplating this, Luz glanced to her left where the Mission Box rested.
The Latina was a bit curious since Tsumuri said that the item inside was made especially for her.
'If it's something that could help me in the next game, I should see what it is now. That way I can go to the temple and train with it,' she thought.
Luz pushed her laptop back and picked up the box to put it in front of her. She took a deep breath and opened it. Upon opening the box, her eyes went wide as she saw what it contained. She bolted out of the chair, scrambling away from the box as if it were a timebomb. Her chair slid backwards as she stifled a yelp with her hands. Unfortunately, her noises managed to rouse Vee from her slumber.
"Huh…Luz, you alright down there?" Vee asked drowsily.
"Y-Yeah! ¡Estoy bien, Vee! ¡Acabo de ver un spoiler de 'My Demon Slayer Academia'! (I'm okay, Vee! I just saw a spoiler for 'My Demon Slayer Academia'!)" Luz assured her.
"Oh…that sucks…" Vee yawned. "Don't tell me about it…'kay?"
"T-Totally won't. Just go back to sleep. Sorry for waking you up," Luz apologized.
Luz waited for a moment and Vee went back to sleep without another word. She crept carefully back to the desk as if whatever was inside the box was going to leap out and attack her. And as far as she was concerned, it might just do that. Luz looked inside again, and to her dread, it was just as she feared.
"No…it can't be…w-why is this here...?"
Staring back at her was the face of Oscura.
Dr. Exposition: And so the latest round of the Desire Grand Prix ends with a double elimination. So sad to see Marco and Molly go home but in this game there are winners and losers. Now, let's see what their wishes are, shall we?
"I want everyone in the world to be happy! ️" - Molly McGee.
"I want to explore the world and live a life filled with adventure." - Marco Diaz.