Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Chapter 0: To be a Kamen Rider?

Kamen Riders.

Heroes of justice, masked warriors who defend their world from monsters, whether human or other. On their bikes, they ride down the path created for them by fate itself.

Many people, no matter the age, wish to be a hero who can fight injustice in the world. And yet, none of them understand the responsibility that comes with heroism.

For Kamen Riders, their lives are anything but pleasantries. To be a Kamen Rider is to see the ugly darkness hidden beneath the surface and still find the drive to win. Their humanity is put to the test in order to gain more strength.

If being a Rider is so difficult, then why do they continue down their paths?

A simple answer, truly.

Each Kamen Rider possesses a quality, a key concept that allows them shine brighter than those around them. Are all Kamen Riders heroes? Hm…perhaps not. Some fight for very selfish reasons, and others are just plain evil. And yet, they continue to fight for the sake of their convictions, no matter how perilous.

But…what happens that quality is stripped away?

Kamen Riders are able to face adversity in the world, because of their unique qualities and circumstances. In a sense, fate favors those willing to stand up to evil. But if those traits are taken away, if the heroes are left in a world that discourages the bold, can they still rise to the challenge and become the Kamen Riders who save the world?

It's an interesting question, no? I'm sure you all wish to see who these Riders become in a universe like this.

If so, then join me, and let us go down this journey together to see if these Kamen Riders really are heroes.

Prologue End

Chapter Text

Chapter 1: A Broken Mirror

A downpour of rain heavily hits the ground. Citizens carried on with their days, busy with the happenings of their personal lives. One woman in particular was seemingly in a hurry, speed walking as quickly as she could. The damn heels on her feet were not doing her any favors, especially with the rain coming down as hard as it was. Days like these made her wish she could afford to own a car, but rent and daily necessities outweighed the car on the money scale.

Right now, she was on her way to work, checking her watch again to see that she still had a few more minutes to get there on time. Her boss would be pretty cross with her if she arrived late again this week. It wasn't her fault that another one of those strange mass disappearances disrupted the train systems. Which is the entire reason she's having to go on foot to work now.

The umbrella buckles slightly under the wind and rain, but holds firm to protect its user. As the woman continues traveling down the street, she passes by a clothing store. Her eyes briefly travel to glance at the beautifully dressed mannequins through the glass. A small smile creeping on her face as she eyes the clothing. Perhaps she could come back here later to see if she could buy a new dress-

CRACK!

She flinches as the crack of thunder shakes the sky, disrupting her thoughts. When she looks back at the glass, a strange sight greets her eyes. Standing in front of her, as if they were within the glass themself, was a man she couldn't recognize. He has short black hair and dark eyes. The man is wearing a light beige trench coat with a gray shirt underneath, and black pants. His eyes, from what she could see from between his bangs, held a dark gaze. A crack visible within the pupils that spoke of insanity.

"Fight."

"W-what?" She muttered, not understanding.

"Fight. Until there's nothing left."

CRACK!

Another ear-shattering crack of thunder followed, and the man disappeared as if he were never there. All she could do was stand there, staring at her own startled expression. A look of loss, confusion, and bewilderment mixed like the muddy puddles in the grass. She looks around, wondering if anyone else had seen that man, but her fellow passerby just continued on as if everything was normal.

She double checked her reflection just to make sure nothing changed. And as one would expect, all she could see was her own reflection along with that of the people passing by.

Was she going crazy? Had all these all nighters she's pulled in the past finally catching up with her? Maybe focusing so much on work was hurting her brain- "OH NO!" The woman cries, startling the people around her. "I'm going to be late!" Forgetting all about the mysterious man, the woman hurries off to her job to make it on time. Unknown to Reiko, a dark red deck case filled with cards materialized in her purse.

"You're late, Reiko!"

"S-sorry, chief!" The young woman apologized as she stepped into the small office space. Taking off her coat revealed Reiko's appearance. She is a beautiful young woman with short brown hair and light chocolate eyes. She's wearing a dark blazer with a white low-cut blouse underneath, and a short black skirt. Her white heels click across the tiled floor loudly as she quickly makes way to her desk to set down her belongings.

Behind the stuffed desk at the back of the room is her boss, Jun Shibaura. He is an older man with combed back brown hair and dark eyes. He's wearing a fancy gray suit, a checkered tie hanging loosely around his neck, and a pair of flat black shoes. Jun takes out his cigar, blowing out the smoke as his late employee comes up to his desk. "At this point I'm wondering why I haven't fired you yet from Ore Journal if you're just going to keep showing up late!"

"I apologize, chief!" Reiko bows her head. "I-I simply got distracted on my way here."

"Pah!" Jun waved off his head. "Considering that you're a woman, I'm not too surprised. That pretty face of yours might as well be the only reason I keep you around. We need someone capable of acting as the face of our articles."

"Y-yes, chief." Reiko muttered, resisting the urge to let her displeasure show. It was a brutal reminder, but one that Reiko allowed to remain in her heart.

ORE Journal, the biggest news center in Tokyo, was the place to be for inspiring journalists who wish to stake their name in the business. Due to the financial backing of Shibaura corporation, ORE Journal has managed to reign supreme within Japan, stomping all other news outlets out of business. Reiko Momoi was one of many that joined the news outlet, her hopes of being someone who can relay reliable news to the people of her country had always been her dream.

When she had nailed the job a few months back and learned that she'd be joining the Head Chief's team, Reiko had been ecstatic. Thinking she had impressed them so much during her interview with her research, Reiko spent the entire night prior to her first day ensuring that her appearance was perfect. Her sleep filled with dreams of respect and admiration clinging to her name.

A young woman with aspiring dreams entered this office the very next day.

And reality ensured those dreams would be torn to shreds within the very next minute.

Reiko knew just how challenging this line of work could be, especially with how male dominated it was. As a woman in the news industry, her biggest claim to fame would always be her physical attributes rather than her intelligence. But Reiko was determined to break through those barriers upon joining ORE Journal for the sake of her personal dreams, and the ones of any other female journalists.

And yet her boss, Jun Shibaura, refused to let her actually report on anything worthwhile. He was a misogynistic bastard with too much money in his pockets, money that guaranteed him a position to control the news however he saw fit. Reports about detective cases? Not her jurisdiction. Relaying information about potential street gangs and delinquents? Not acquitted to her paygrade. Talks about international affairs? Not interesting enough for a woman with her face.

No. Her job was to report on the weather, assist with model shootings (Even participate herself), and act as the eye-catching cover to the printed journals. She was nothing more than a pretty face to this company, a thought that burned her heart every single night she came home.

Which always leads her to the big question: Why continue to work under a man like him?

Because, as frustrating as the situation is, Reiko Momoi wasn't a woman to give up so easily. Quitting an outlet like ORE Journal or even getting fired would utterly destroy her chances of making it into the news industry.

If she wanted things to change, if she wanted to make her way to the top, then she'd have to force it to change.

Reiko was more than willing to fight for a fair future.

"Fight."

"Wah?!" Reiko stumbles as that familiar voice echoes in her head. The woman's shout disrupts everyone else, earning her an annoyed glare from her boss.

"What is it now?! Did you forget your make-up or something?!" Jun snapped.

Blushing a bit, Reiko quickly fixes herself. "Sorry, chief! I-I thought I saw a bug or something. It won't happen again."

"Peh. Just hurry and get your work done. I need those models' photos printed and sorted before lunch or else your entire lunch break will be spent organizing folders and supplies!"

"Yes, chief!" Reiko gives one more bow before hurrying back to her desk. As she does so, the office's door is blown open by a familiar assistant.

"Chief! Chief, we have big news!" The young man shouts, his black hair blowing as he runs towards Jun's desk. He trips on his own two feet, dropping his papers all over the floor.

Jun angrily pounds his desk. "Daisuke, you bumbling idiot! How many times do I have to tell you to watch where you step?!"

"S-sorry, chief…" Daisuke lowers his head, adjusting his suspenders.

"Reiko!" Jun shouts, getting her attention. "Pick up those papers, while I have a chat with this little moron."

"Yes, chief." Reiko nods, resisting the urge to sigh loudly. Moving quickly, the sole woman in the chief's office kneeled down to the floor, missing the way the chief's eyes were briefly admiring her backside.

"Chief!"

"What?!" Jun irritably growls at his assistant.

Daisuke flinches before swallowing his fear. "W-well…another r-report just came in about another mass disappearing hitting the Saitama Prefecture!"

Reiko's ear twitches, her collection of papers slowing as she listens to the conversation happening. Her eyes catch onto a particular report paper with detailings of the incident in the pile. Seeing as nobody was paying her any mind, the female reporter quickly took out her phone and snapped a photo.

"Another one?" Jun scoffs.

"Y-yes! I-I have the paper right…here?" Daisuke checks his arms, realizing that the paper he planned to show wasn't here. "Where did it go?!"

"Here." Reiko quickly saves him, plopping the paper into Daisuke's hands. "You dropped it earlier."

"Oh, right. Thank you, Ms. Momoi." Daisuke nervously smiles. Reiko gives him a reassuring smile before returning to picking up the papers. "Here you go, chief." He hands the report to Jun. "From what the police had reported from witnesses, the disappearing incident happened a few hours ago. Around 6:30 in the morning."

Jun scans the report. "About 60 people went missing, clothes left scattered on the ground, and not a single body to be found. Men, women, and children were taken." He puts it down. "Just like the other disappearing cases last month. Anything else?"

"There were mentions of broken glass found around the area."

"I see…"

"Do you think it was another one of those monsters?" Daisuke gulped.

"Will you grow a spine, boy?! There's no such thing as monsters!" Jun shouted, taking another puff from his cigar.

As she listened, Reiko noticed a certain change in her boss' posture. He looked a bit uncomfortable, almost as if he knew more than he was letting on. When his gaze shifted in her direction, the young woman quickly acted as if she hadn't been listening. She grabbed the last piece of paper on the floor, holding the large stack in her arms. "I've finished collecting the fallen documents, chief."

"Good. Leave those on my desk and return to what you were doing." She nods, turning away. "And remember what I said!"

"Yes, chief." Reiko replied, keeping her tone calm. As she went back to her desk, Reiko put most of her focus on everything she just learned. These disappearing cases have started to become far more frequent as of late, increasing a sense of fear within the populace of Tokyo. The passion of journalism burned brightly within her, desiring to take on this case and solve it for the sake of everyone.

But she knew that her boss would dismiss her if she even tried to persuade him to let her handle it. Thus, she'll need to take matters into her own hands secretly.

How?

Reiko's eyes locked onto the fumbling Daisuke, the key to starting this investigation.

As the rain starts to let up, a black motorcycle speeds down the streets, weaving between traffic. The one riding the bike appears to be a woman wearing an open black trench coat. Underneath is a black midriff bearing shirt with matching black shorts. Her knee-length boots held steady, reflecting the light of the passing vehicles. The woman's face is obstructed by her purple helmet.

She continues riding towards her destination, the brown eyes underneath narrowing as the ringing in her head grew even louder. "Dammit! Where the hell is this noise leading me?!"

Once her lunch break rolled around, Reiko waited a bit for Daisuke to leave the office first. After leaving her completed work on her boss' desk, the young woman quickly hunted down Daisuke at his usual spot for lunch. Reiko finds him sitting outside behind the building, where a sense of privacy can be held. Holding her own bento box in her arms, thankful that the rain has started to subside, Reiko puts on a friendly face. "Mr. Okubo!"

Daisuke flinches, not expecting anyone to meet him out here, especially a pretty cute woman around his age. "M-Ms. Momoi?! W-why are you out here?"

She stands next to him, not yet taking the seat. "Can two co-workers not enjoy lunch together?"

"O-oh, well, I guess you're not wrong. Nobody really respects me enough to want to eat with me."

Feeling slightly bad about knowing her real reasons for sitting here, Reiko shakes her head with a smile. "Well, I'm going to eat with you today, yeah? If you don't mind."

"N-no. Please, g-go ahead." Daisuke scoots over on the bench to let Reiko take the seat next to him. She says her thanks before unwrapping her lunch to start eating. The two of them sit in a bit of an uncomfortable silence that is inevitably broken by Reiko.

"So…pretty crazy, huh?"

"E-excuse me?" Daisuke blinks.

"Sorry, I'm talking about the strange disappearances that started last month. It's crazy to think about how so many people have gone missing recently. My parents have been trying to convince me to move out of Tokyo and back to the countryside where it'll be safer." Reiko chuckles softly.

"Right, y-yeah, it is pretty scary. All of these disappearances and monsters popping up out of nowhere." Daisuke said.

"Do you really believe that?" Reiko looks serious as she asks this question. "Do you really think that monsters are the ones behind these disappearances?"

Daisuke rubs the back of his neck nervously. "T-there's no concrete proof that it's a monster. But witness reports on internet blogs and in reports have mentioned strange creatures appearing in the areas of the incidents."

"They can be fabricated. Not everything you see on the internet is true. Plus, people could be hallucinating because of the stress."

"I-I know that! But there's no other explanation as to why so many people can suddenly go missing in such a short span of time!" Daisuke exclaimed, startling Reiko. When he notices how loud he got, his face turns slightly red. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get so loud. And I'm sorry that I can't be more helpful to you."

"H-helpful? What do you-"

"You're trying to get answers out of me about the disappearances, right? That's the only reason you'd bother sitting by me." Daisuke's sullen eyes meet her own. Reiko winces, realizing that her little plan got discovered pretty quickly. "Like I said before, nobody really likes me, all they see is a screw up who can't do anything right. The chief only keeps me around at this point for his own amusement, not for any skill set."

"Then…why not quit?"

"I can ask you the same thing. He and many others on our team only see you as a pretty object, not an actual reporter. Which is pretty stupid, because I can see just how talented you are." Daisuke smiles softly.

"Talented?" Reiko mutters.

"I do run through all the articles that you guys write before they get to the chief. Whenever I get to yours, I can see just how much effort and passion you put into your writing and research. Even if they're topics you have no interest in, you have a strong love for your work. Doing anything but the absolute best would be wrong." Daisuke said, then blushed. "S-sorry, that must sound creepy."

"No!" Reiko exclaimed, her heart warming up. "Not at all. N-nobody's ever said such kind things about my work since joining ORE Journal. You can tell all of that just from my writing?"

He rubs his neck a bit nervously. "Yeah, I can. My teachers always told me that I have a good knack for noticing these things. They told me that writing, no matter the form, is like a reflection into a person's true self. So, I can see just how passionate you are about journalism."

Reiko looks down at her lap, a feeling of guilt building up inside of her chest. Here she was, selfishly manipulating a co-worker, while he was just a nice guy with a similar love for journalism as her. He may be a bit dorky and really clumsy, but Daisuke's heart was in the same place as her own. "I… I'm sorry."

"What?" He blinks at her.

"I shouldn't have tried to get answers out of you just to fuel my own desires. All I've ever wanted was to be taken seriously in a field like this, and yet all of my attempts have been met with failure. If I can just solve this case behind the disappearances and report on it, then maybe even the chief will have to recognize my skills." Reiko admitted.

"T-then, I'll help you."

"Really?!" Reiko's eyes widened.

Daisuke nodded. "I can't give you much information myself. But there's someone I've known for a while who is very interested in these disappearances as well." He reaches into his shirt's breast pocket, pulling out a business card, then hands it to her. "Get into contact with this man, and I'm sure he'll be able to tell you what he knows."

Reiko eyes the card, reading the name.

Shuichi Kitaoka: Super Defense Attorney Extraordinaire!

"Uh…"

"Yeah, he likes the sound of his own voice. Just to warn you ahead of time." Daisuke said.

"Understood. Thanks, I'll go call him now!" She gets up from the bench and starts to leave. Daisuke lets out a small sigh, noting that he'll be eating alone again. "Mr. Okubo!" He looks back up to see Reiko smiling at him. "Let's eat here again tomorrow, okay? But no tricks or anything. Just two co-workers or…friends enjoying lunch together."

Daisuke sits there stunned for a moment before a red coloring lights his cheeks. "Y-yes! That would be great!"

With a new friend added to her books, Reiko gives her attention back to the business card. She'll give the lawyer a call, and once work is over, it'll be time to start investigating.

Once she was officially done with her job for the day, Reiko caught a taxi and made her way towards Kitaoka's residence. Apparently, the 'super-lawyer' never answered his own calls, the number on the business card belonged to his personal assistant. She had been instructed to meet him at his residence/office in order to talk business.

Standing in front of his door, Reiko knocks hard enough to be heard. "Hello? Mr. Kitaoka?" Nobody answers, confusing the aspiring reporter. She repeats this a few more times before coming to the conclusion that nobody was home. "That's…weird. I was told by that Goro guy to show up at this time. Please don't tell me this'll end up being a prank."

Not one to be foiled easily, Reiko decided to put her supposed stealth skills to use. She sneaks around the expensive home, quietly stepping through the grass and flowers to not make noise. Reiko peeks her head through the windows, checking to see if anyone was inside. Strangely enough to her confusion, the house was a complete mess. Objects, furniture, food, and more were thrown around messily. The walls were littered with holes as if someone had fired bullets through them. Such a sight was enough to incite worry in her heart. Reiko takes out her phone, pulling up the emergency number to call if truly necessary.

Continuing to sneak around, inevitably a loud noise is heard coming from inside. Swallowing her fear, Reiko inches closer to the source, poking her head to peer through the glass. The reporter's eyes grow wide as she takes in what lies before her.

Standing in the middle of what appears to be a personalized office is a strange creature. Its body resembled a giant buffalo, green and white in color with metal plating all over. Smoke pours from its round finger tips, two bodies lay dead on the floor beneath it.

Reiko didn't know what to think or say, her eyes were witnessing a genuine monster in the flesh. Her sight trailed down to the bodies, disgust and fear trickling in quickly upon seeing the bloody holes drilled into them. Bile builds up in her throat, and she vomits into the grass.

Disgusted with herself and the situation, Reiko pulls her phone back up. All she could do now was call the police and let them know what was going on. Monsters were real, which meant that monsters really were the ones behind the recent strings of disappearances. Once the police are informed, she can get out of here and back to somewhere safe-

"Fight."

Reiko pauses before she could hit the 'call' button. Eyes snapping to the glass to see the face of the strange man from earlier in the day. Only tired and dirty breaths come from her as she stares at him.

"Fight." He repeats, a creepy smile visible. "It's time to fight."

"What are you-" Reiko backs away from the glass, eyes shaking fearfully. "I-"

SNAP!

Eyes widened, switching down to her feet to see she stepped on a large branch. A loud rumbling noise followed and the man's sadistic smile gave it all away. Reiko didn't waste a second in running away as a loud explosion blew a hole right into the side of the house. The shockwave knocked her over, throwing the woman off her feet. She rolls for a few moments before coming to a stop, ragged gasps escaping through the ringing in her ears. A red deck of cards falls out of her purse, lying a few feet away from her.

As she laid there, exhausted and hurt, Reiko could see the green beast slowly stalking towards her. Its artillery primed ready to fire and bring an end to the prey in front of it.

Her eyes were hazy, slowly blinking through the smell of burnt stone and grass. Sounds of sirens-were they sirens?-whispered between the ringing. The ringing continued to grow louder and louder, splitting her head like a migraine. But that was the last thing running through her mind.

"Am I…going to die?" Reiko thinks solemnly.

She didn't want that. To lose her life so suddenly, when she had yet to accomplish anything would be pathetic. She hadn't been able to expose the danger to the public, prove herself to her boss and peers, or make a name for herself in the world of journalism. Reiko had just made a friend too.

Tears stream down the side of her face as she realizes the unfairness of it all. Why her? Why did she have to suffer like this? It wasn't fair. It wasn't fair! IT WASN'T FAIR!

"Then fight."

A soft gasp escapes her lips.

"The only way to live is by fighting."

"...Fight."

"Just grab the deck and fight."

Her eyes latch onto the deck that laid in arm's reach.

"Fight and keep fighting."

Reiko didn't think anymore. Her arm reached for the red deck case, fingers brushing against the blades of grass.

"Fight until there's nothing left."

The metallic buffalo's artillery fired right as Reiko's hand touched the deck. A burst of red hot flames erupted, blocking off the bullets as if it were a wall. A dragon's ferocious roar fills the sky, beads of light materializing from the broken glass, taking the shape of a large red and gold dragon. It stares down at the woman who had summed it and roared loudly, commanding the flames to swallow her whole.

An intense ringing alerts the bike riding woman, her attention turning to the sky to see a red dragon circling the air. "Is that what I've been sensing?!" Throwing away her plate of food, she races towards her motorcycle. Getting back onto her bike, she revs the two-wheeler and blitzes through the streets to reach the commotion.

Once the flames clear, the ballista buffalo is greeted to the sight of a masked warrior. Standing before it, coated in hostile fires, is a slender woman dressed in a red skin-tight bodysuit. Her chest, arms, and legs are covered by black and silver armor. She's wearing a silver and black helmet with red bug-like eyes behind the plating. Wrapped around her waist is a silver belt with the deck case locked in the middle. On her left wrist is a dragon-shaped visor.

Buffalo fires its torrents to riddle her with holes, but the dragon swoops down and blocks the artillery rounds.

From within the flames, Reiko could feel unbelievable power coursing through her body. She stares down at her hands, baffled by her new appearance. The fires show a reflection to let her take everything in. "Is that…me?"

Loud stomping brings her attention back to what was happening, reminding the masked woman that her life was still in danger. "T-that thing…with this power? Can I live?"

"Fight."

The words repeat in her head. Looking down, Reiko sees the deck of cards attached to her waist. She slowly draws one, seeing that it held the image of a sword. "Sword… Vent?" Reiko didn't know what to do with-

BOOM!

"Gah!" An explosion beats against the protective dragon and fires, throwing her lightly off her feet. The sudden shock caused the visor on her wrist to open. Noticing this, the reporter's intelligence figured out the equation. "Do the cards go in here?" After sliding the card into the slot, she snapped it shut.

SWORD VENT!

Following the visor's announcement, a silver broadsword with a red handle materialized in her left hand. Seeing that she was now armed, the flames subsided to let the masked warrior defend herself. Gulping slightly, Reiko grips the sword firmly in her hands. "I really hope those kendo lessons dad forced me into come in handy…!"

Metallic whirling fills the air as the buffalo locks onto its target. It charges up another round of fire, leaving itself open. Deciding this as a moment to attack, Reiko leaps forward with a downward strike of her blade. To her amazement, a clean hit is connected, knocking the buffalo back a few feet. The buffalo's energy drops as it reels from the damage. "That worked?! It worked!"

Then the monster forwent a big attack, choosing to light the woman up with a volley of gunfire. Reiko let out a loud gasp and started running, hastily evading the bullets that would turn her into swiss cheese. She ducks behind a tree, putting her head down as the gatling continued. Crying in desperation, the masked woman goes down to her deck to find another card. "C'mon, please be something useful!" Reiko draws her next card and reads it over. "Guard Vent?! This has to work!" She declares, inserting it into her visor.

GUARD VENT!

When the tree is blown to pieces, Reiko emerges from the debris with her new weaponry, two dragon clawed-shaped gauntlets on each arm. She brings them together, using them as shields to protect herself as she charges forward. "YHAA!" Her awkward yell joined the hard tackle that connects as soon as another explosive round is fired. The deafening boom sends them both flying across the field, Reiko rolling like a ragdoll while the mechanical buffalo skids in the dirt.

Her guards shatter to pieces, leaving the woman defenseless again as she lay in the tattered grass. She gets up to see that her opponent was already getting ready for another attack. Reiko reaches for her deck to pull out another card when suddenly, smoke starts to envelope the monster's body. "What? Why is it smoking?" She wonders.

Noticing how its body was weakening, the buffalo's body started to glow brightly. It speeds away, leaving the dragon knight shocked. Quickly getting over her stupor, Reiko runs after it. "Hey?! Where do you think you're going?!"

She chases it back towards Kitaoka's destroyed home where she watches the monster leap back down through the hole. The dragon knight stops at the hole and quickly draws another card, throwing it into the slot.

SHOOT VENT!

On her right arm, a dragon gauntlet materialized. Judging by the name of the card, Reiko had a pretty good idea what it was for. She pulls back her arm, a ball of flame building up in the jaw, and punches out at the buffalo.

To her misfortune, her aim wasn't anywhere near the best. The fireball missed its target, scorching the bullet-ridden desk of Kitaoka. Reiko watches uselessly as the monster escapes through Kitaoka's mirror, much to her amazement. "The mirror?! How did it just do that?!"

Thinking more about it now, Reiko realizes that the strange man from earlier only ever showed himself through a reflection of glass. Perhaps there was some connection between him, reflection, and these monsters?

Either way, it would be best for her to get out of here before any law enforcement arrives-

"HEY!"

Reiko flinches when a loud feminine voice shouts at her. Turning around, Reiko sees a woman driving towards her on a motorcycle. Eyes widening, the dragon knight rolls out of the way to avoid getting run over. Her assailant hits the break, hitting the 'Akira Slide' as she comes to a complete stop near the hole.

Rolling onto her knees, the dragon knight gapes at this new arrival. "W-who are…?!"

The biker takes off her helmet, allowing her short brown hair to reach the bottom of her neck. Her eyes take in the destruction that had befallen Kitaoka's home, especially the two corpses sitting in the office. She angrily glares at the confused dragon knight. "As expected of a Rider! Nothing but destruction and death lying in your wake!"

"R-Rider…?" Reiko realizes there must be some misunderstanding. She gets up on her feet, holding out her hands cautiously. "Wait! I-I'm not the one who caused all of this damage! It was a monster-"

"Shut it!" The woman snarled, refusing to listen. She discards her helmet and leaps off the bike, landing across from the red-clad woman. "As I swore, I'm going to take down every Rider in my path to get what I desire!" She reaches from behind, whipping out a familiar deck case in black coloring.

"A deck!?" Reiko gasped.

"Today is the day you die!" She brings up her arm, crossing it over her chest. "HENSHIN!" A silver belt appears around her waist, followed by the inserting of her core deck. White light illuminates briefly as the woman transforms right in front of Reiko's eyes. Once it disappeared, Reiko was greeted to an unforgettable sight.

Standing in the biker's place is a warrior similar to her in appearance, but with the aesthetic of a medieval knight. The skin-tight black suit clings to her figure perfectly, grey armor plating lining her limbs and chest. Attached to the belt around her waist is a black rapier with a bat-like motif.

"You really are…just like me…" Reiko muttered.

The knight shook her head. "No…not like you…" She unsheaths the rapier, then draws a card from her deck, and props open the slot visor to slot in the card. "I'm…"

Realizing what was about to happen, Reiko quickly copied her attacker's motion.

SWORD VENT!

"NOTHING LIKE YOU!" Her rapier turned lancer comes down like a lightning bolt, clashing against Reiko's broadsword. Reiko could feel her knees buckle under the force as she made eye contact with this frightful woman of rage.

She could feel it. The raw bloodlust radiating off of this mysterious knight. Reiko didn't understand why she wanted to kill her so badly or hated these 'Riders', but that didn't matter right now.

One fight may have ended, but another one has clearly begun.

Stomping her feet to correct her balance, Reiko pushes back against the knight, surprising the dark woman. Gritting her teeth, the dragon knight released a fierce shout as she knocked her opponent back. The dark knight lands gracefully, flicking her lance to adjust her grip.

And she'd be damned to lose her life here!

Without saying anymore words, the women lunged at one another, clashing weapons in an intense struggle of sparking metal.

Watching the battle from his own private dimension through a broken mirror, the mysterious stranger took a seat on an old wooden chair. In his hands was a doll of a young girl with short black hair, a kind smile plastered on her face. He strokes it gently; a creepy smile etched onto his lips. "It's okay, Yui. Soon...everything will be as it should."

Ryuki End

Ryuki World:

Reiko Momoi: Kamen Rider Ryuki

Description: Reiko is a young and confident woman who aspires to be a world-renowned journalist. However, her chosen field is a tough landscape for women her age, and she desires greatly to have her talents be known. After a harrowing escape from death she was drafted into Shiro Kanzaki's twisted Rider War, transforming into the dragon wielder - Ryuki. When she learned the truth of why she was chosen from Eri Ogawa, Kamen Rider Knight, she became strongly determined to put an end to Kanzaki's maddening games to bring peace back to her city. Though she isn't the best fighter of the Riders, Reiko's tenacity to live pushes her to fight with a level of ferocity that matches her contract monster.

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Eri Ogawa: Kamen Rider Knight

Description: Eri is a beautiful young woman who possesses a passionate heart for the people around her. But when her husband was killed right in front of her by a mysterious Rider, she allowed the flames of revenge to consume her pained heart. Kanzaki's sickening nature reached out to her, granting her the power to take the revenge she desires, transforming her into the armor warrior - Knight. Though she wants no part in fulfilling Kanzaki's desires, Eri understands that fighting Riders and monsters are the only way she'll be able to find the one responsible for her pain. Upon meeting Reiko, the two formed a temporary alliance to ensure both of their goals would be achieved.