drunkenpandaren (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
drunkenpandaren) wrote2010-07-26 12:53 pm
drunkenpandaren) wrote2010-07-26 12:53 pm
Entry tags:
Power Rangers Decade - A.G. World Eniac Chronicles
Ride 03
“Oh and that was a spectacular hit from Kamen Rider Angewomon! Ladies and gentlemen she has done it again! Kamen Rider Angewomon an up and coming Rider has managed to defeat yet another opponent, ending the Rider War for today!” proclaimed the announcer. “And here she comes now!”
In a flash of light, a slender woman in white and blue emerged from the mirror and waved to the crowd. A young man walked out and tossed a towel across her shoulders. “And her trainer, Taichi Yagami has decided to bring her in. Looks like today’s match is over folks. Kamen Rider Angewomon, with a stunning 12 wins and 0 losses through this Rider Season has managed to do amazing ladies and gentlemen!”
“You did good Hikari,” said Taichi as Hikari leaned on him as she leaned on him heavily all the way to the locker room. “Just one more and that’ll make thirteen. We’ve got the season in the bag!”
“I know,” panted Hikari as she powered down and slumped into her brothers arms, breathing heavily as he eased her to a sitting position. “You… think I really did great?”
“The best,” said Taichi honestly. “You’re the best Rider yet.”
“Thanks, Oniichan,” said Hikari as she passed out.
“Hikari…” said Taichi, sitting down and moving her head onto his lap.
“You’re pushing her too hard,” said Yamato from the side where he leaned on the lockers. “Taichi.”
“Yamato,” greeted Taichi. “She wouldn’t listen. Half the time that crazy stunt she pulls is her own fault.” A pause. “How’s Takeru?”
“Smarting from his loss against her today,” said Yamato. “But it’s a bruised ego. He’ll live. It’s what a Rider is for isn’t it? Sport? There hasn’t been an actual enemy to fight in years.”
An uncomfortable silence passed between them as Taichi finally broke the ice. “Hey listen, Yamato, you’re not still mad are you?”
“Me? Naw, not really,” said Yamato. “Granted you won the last match we fought, but you gave me the money for Takeru’s operation. And now here we are again, doing this for money.”
“Money makes the world go around,” sighed Taichi as Hikari slept, clinging to a pendant in her hands. “But it won’t bring happiness.”
“Rider Fights,” said Vivio as she read the magazine that Carter had purchased.
“Take Power Rangers, put them in armored gear, and then pit them as prize fighters. Half wrestling, half prize fighting,” said Carter with a touch of distaste in his tone. “It’s been going for generations now. Families typically pass down the Rider powers to their children.”
“Wait, kids are the fighters?” said Yuuno to Carter’s nod. “That’s… so wrong.”
“E tu Yuuno Scrya,” remarked Chrono. “Remember how young we were?”
“Still though,” said Vivio. “Why are they fighting?”
“Fame, glory, money, all of it.” Said Carter, tapping the roster of known Riders, some with big red X’s across their pictures. “This girl here is in the top lead, a Hikari Yagami, aka Kamen Rider Angewomon. Her brother was a top Rider Fight champ in his own day, Kamen Rider WarGreymon.”
“Wait, was?” inquired Chrono.
“Seems that once a Rider hits 15, they lose the authorization to henshin for their Rider League. He could go pro in three more years, but the rules are stricter, and more confining, and much more demanding. He serves as Hikari’s coach.” Said Carter. “Apparently it comes with a pretty big fine.”
“Sounds demanding for all the wrong reasons,” said Vivio, shaking his head. “Imagine Ranger fights. Long hours and running out of the house at all given times is already demanding enough.”
“What are the rules for it?” inquired Yuuno.
“Eight Riders go in, one comes out. You fight until all your opponents are defeated in the Digital World. There’s a whole lot more rules, but basically the battles are fought within the world within a strict boundary. Being tossed out is an O.B., out of bounds which causes an instant loss. More matches have been won with a final O.B.” explained Carter. “Finishing moves like a Rider Kick or whatever knock the opponent out and tamas their powers for that round.”
“Who are we looking at for this next round?” inquired Vivio, suddenly interested.
“Well it’s another eight Rider fight, but looks like one of them is coming in with a handicap. The battle could go on for hours even days until a winner is resolved.” Carter looked at Vivio and scowled. “You have an idea don’t you?”
“Yeah I do. How long do you think it would take to modify my Morpher…?”
“Eh? What do you mean I can’t register for the Rider battles?” inquired a 10 year old Vivio to the woman at the counter.
“Sorry kid, but the rules state you need a official belt from the League,” said the woman with a shake of her head. “It’s the rules, I can’t just let anyone in.”
Vivio gave the Fate-woman look alike a giant wibble. She almost crumbled. ALMOST. “Sorry! I can’t do a thing, my hands are tied. Without a belt and sponsorship from a major group, you can’t possibly go in!”
“Excuse me ma’am,” said a smooth voice from behind the group. “I’ll sponsor her.”
The woman at the counter snapped to attention. “Mr. Ichijoji sir!”
Osamu Ichijoji smiled warmly from his seat in the wheelchair pushed by a young looking boy with similar hair, dressed in a private school uniform. “Ken-chan was thinking about getting a partner for the doubles match he’s scheduled for, but some unknown fresh blood would be good, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Y-yes,” said Vivio, feeling a little overwhelmed. She wanted to participate but the guy was giving her chills.
“Then it’s settled,” said the young man in the suit as he signed papers and said to her, “See you on the court miss.” His younger brother bowed and pushed his brother towards the lockers.
“Well,” said the woman, flustered. “All seems to be in order…”
As the group walked away, Yuuno exhaled. “That guy…”
“Creep factor 12,” said Chrono.
“Like being in the presence of a shark,” said Carter with a scowl. “Damn was he a predator.”
“Still he was nice enough to let me enter,” said Vivio.
A short bitter laugh came from the side as a girl with her arm in a sling walked up. “You were pitied,” she said sadly. “No one survives a doubles match with Ken Ichijoji, not with that creep of a brother as his sponsor.”
“You know about him?” asked Carter.
“Duh, Osamu Ichijoji, the former Kamen Rider Stingmon. Former until his accident at least. He was a nice guy, so they say. And then he turned real nasty after a battle where he got a injury to the neck.” The violet haired girl sighed. “My sister Momoe used to fight with him. This is what I got in the last doubles match.” And she wiggled her arm with a grimace.
“I’m sorry,” said Vivio.
“Ah it’s okay. I wasn’t doing well in the league anyhow. I’m Miyako Inoue. Kamen Rider Silphmon. Hey, Iori! Come over here, say hello!”
A shorter kid walked up, a solemn expression on his face. “Everyone this is Kamen Rider Shakkoumon, Iori Hida. He’s my doubles partner.”
“How do you do,” said Iori politely, noticing the devices on their bodies. “Are you all Riders?”
“Sort of in a way,” said Carter. “We’re from another league, but wanted to let Vivio try.”
“That creep Ichijoji signed her up as her partner for doubles,” grumbled Miyako.
“That says something, considering Daisuke asked me to be his double partner since you’re injured,” said Iori. “Why would a creep like Osamu even allow it?”
“He likes the pain,” growled Miyako.
“You understand, little brother? Eliminate those Riders and defeat the new girl.”
“Yes oniisan.”
“And stand up straight. Don’t worry, we can’t be stopped.”
“Yes oniisan.”
“Okay here’s the list of opponents next Rider War,” said Miyako, placing a sheet on the table. “First off there’s the Hikari-Takeru duo, Kamen Rider Angewomon and Angemon. They’re highly favored and since they do well in the grand melee, they’re favored for the doubles too.”
“Angewomon specializes in long range bow attacks while Angemon has close in staff attacks,” said Iori.
“The next is Iori and Daisuke, Kamen Rider Shakkoumon and Kamen Rider Paildramon. Daisuke used to be Ken’s partner, before Osamu drove them apart.” Said Miyako.
“I specialize in sword attacks, while Daisuke has a twin cannon style. He’s slower, but he can fly so he’s got the edge on that.” Said Iori.
“Handy,” said Carter. “How many doubles?”
“It’s four on four, each doubles team counting as one for a grand total of eight,” explained Miyako. “And this way, it keeps the Riders from turning on each other. Or so the story goes.”
“The next team are from overseas. Kamen Rider Blade and Kamen Rider Thunder, from Wales actually,” said Iori as he tapped a picture of a girl with her ponytails with bells and a young looking young man. “Blade specializes in sword attacks too, but she’s got a special power to negate Final Attacks. Be careful of that girl. Her partner, Lightning, has a clock up ability which allows him to move at a quarter lightspeed for a short period of time. Their names are Asuna Kagurazaka from Germany, and Negi Springfield from Wales.”
“Another major team you need to worry about is the heavily favored American teams too. This one here, Kamen Rider Omni aka Ben Tennyson. He’s able to shift his form to several distinct Rider forms granting him powers. His partner varies but it’s either his cousin Gwen Tennyson or his friend Kevin Levin. All three of them boast considerable power and experience, as they were present for the Great Rider War.” said Iori with a shake of his head.
“The Great Rider War?” inquired Yuuno. “What was that?”
“…” Iori and Miyako looked at each other and Miyako said, “It was the day all Riders of this generation got their powers. There hasn’t been a Rider War Games for ages, not until the Digital World appeared.”
Vivio sat at the edge of a fountain in the Rider War plaza, thinking of what the others told her.
For the longest time, there had been only Rangers. They protected our people for years, and there had been peace. But in the year 1999, a group of kids at summer camp and one teacher was sent into another reality known as the Digital World. Granted the spirits of great Digimon Heroes, they were given the power to Henshin into powerful armored people.
But they weren’t alone. All over the world, children looked into the sky and saw the rift, and people speculated it was the end of the world. And then, Belts began to appear. Kids of all ages were drawn into what was known as the Great Rider War. The story is nearly lost to memory because memory of the great rift between worlds has been closed off save for reflective screens. These children fought and some died, and in the ensuring battles the teacher, the greatest Ranger of them all gave his life to save the kids who he cherished as his own.
Years later, a massive corporation approached Riders all over the world, and invited them to the stadiums being constructed. It was a Rider War in all but memory, a grand melee where no one got hurt. Some Riders refused, others leaped to the challenge and monetary prizes. For whatever reason, it was spirit vs spirit, Rider vs Rider, the greatest of battles continued in the vast digital landscape, now free of danger.
They called the first true life and death battles the great Rider War, and the Rangers were sent into obscurity. Even now they are urban legend.
“Penny for your thoughts?” said a young voice as Vivio looked up at Hikari Yagami. “Hi. You’re the new girl, Vivio Takamachi right?”
Vivio nodded, her fake last name serving her well. “Yes that’s right. Oh you’re Rider Angewomon, Hikari Yagami correct?”
“That’s right.” Hikari reached down and took a photograph of Vivio before giggling. “It’s a habit of mine.”
Sitting down, she offered her cookies from a small sack. “Here, a gift. I saw you out here and thought you could use them. You look worried.”
“Thanks.” Vivio took the food and bit into it. “It’s good.”
Hikari smiled. “So Vivio, any relation to Kamen Rider Buster? You know, Nanoha Takamachi?”
Vivio coughed. There was a Nanoha here too? “N-no, just completely coincidental,” she managed.
Hikari smiled. “Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me. I see you’re registered in the doubles melee.”
“Yes, with Ken Ichijoji as my partner,” said Vivio as she fiddled with the cookie bag. “I don’t know what to think about that?”
“Ken’s fine, it’s his brother who’s a real creep,” said Hikari. “He’s a nice sweet guy, but totally not my type.” The last was said with a giggle.
Vivio giggled as well and the girls shared a moment. “So Vivio, where are you from?”
“Um, Reefside, in the States,” said Vivio. “Yuuno, Chrono and Carter are my guardians.”
“I heard that place is nice,” said Hikari thoughtfully. “They say a team of Rangers has appeared there.”
Vivio tried not to think about that. If the greatest Ranger in the world gave his life for these kids… then her father was dead. Poor mom, living without him. “Yeah, it’s a nice place.”
Hikari tapped her lip thoughtfully. “You know, we’re allowed to spar. Want to give it a little go?”
“Huh?” said Vivio. “But I couldn’t possibly…”
“Don’t worry, we won’t be facing each other in the next line up,” said Hikari. “We’ll be okay. Trust me.”
Vivio thought about it and nodded. “Alright.”
Hikari grinned and took Vivio’s hand, leading her to the nearby store window. She pulled out her tag from her neck and a belt appeared. “Let’s go.”
Vivio nodded as she flipped the device in her hands and Hikari looked at it curiously before stating, “Henshin!” The belt appeared and she slotted it into the top of her belt. In a blast of light, a white and pink Rider was formed.
“SPD Emergency!” proclaimed Vivio as she threw forward her arm and energy rushed, forming into her white armor and spandex. Looking at Hikari, the girl seemed to be dumbstruck. “What?”
“Those are Ranger powers, not Rider powers,” said Hikari accusingly. Vivio flinched. “But it’s not any one I’ve ever seen before. It… reminds me of sensei.”
“I’m sorry, I should have said something,” said Vivio. “It’s hard to talk about him in the past sense.”
“Did you know sensei?” inquired Hikari as the pair headed for the window and to her surprise, Vivio passed into the digital world as well.
“Yeah. He’s my father.”
BEEP. The arena around them flared to life. “Practice Round, Kamen Rider Angewomon vs SPD Riot Ranger 05 White! Ready? Here we go!”
Hikari drew her sword and Vivio’s gun snapped out, transforming into a sword as well. “You’ll have to tell me all about him when we’re done here.” Said Hikari before she lunged.
Vivio met her head-on lunge with her own parry. “Count on it.”
“Sir! You called for me?”
“Indeed I did, Osamu. What do you see here?”
“I see… a Ranger fighting a Rider.”
“As the prophesy fortold, the Ranger in White has arrived. The moment of reckoning is upon us.”
Osamu’s brow furrowed. “All that we’ve worked for. And you’ll remove the seed when it’s time?”
“Yes, don’t worry. All is as according to plan.” And the form pressed a button as several doors in the arena opened, revealing digimon bound with dark spirals.
“Oh and that was a spectacular hit from Kamen Rider Angewomon! Ladies and gentlemen she has done it again! Kamen Rider Angewomon an up and coming Rider has managed to defeat yet another opponent, ending the Rider War for today!” proclaimed the announcer. “And here she comes now!”
In a flash of light, a slender woman in white and blue emerged from the mirror and waved to the crowd. A young man walked out and tossed a towel across her shoulders. “And her trainer, Taichi Yagami has decided to bring her in. Looks like today’s match is over folks. Kamen Rider Angewomon, with a stunning 12 wins and 0 losses through this Rider Season has managed to do amazing ladies and gentlemen!”
“You did good Hikari,” said Taichi as Hikari leaned on him as she leaned on him heavily all the way to the locker room. “Just one more and that’ll make thirteen. We’ve got the season in the bag!”
“I know,” panted Hikari as she powered down and slumped into her brothers arms, breathing heavily as he eased her to a sitting position. “You… think I really did great?”
“The best,” said Taichi honestly. “You’re the best Rider yet.”
“Thanks, Oniichan,” said Hikari as she passed out.
“Hikari…” said Taichi, sitting down and moving her head onto his lap.
“You’re pushing her too hard,” said Yamato from the side where he leaned on the lockers. “Taichi.”
“Yamato,” greeted Taichi. “She wouldn’t listen. Half the time that crazy stunt she pulls is her own fault.” A pause. “How’s Takeru?”
“Smarting from his loss against her today,” said Yamato. “But it’s a bruised ego. He’ll live. It’s what a Rider is for isn’t it? Sport? There hasn’t been an actual enemy to fight in years.”
An uncomfortable silence passed between them as Taichi finally broke the ice. “Hey listen, Yamato, you’re not still mad are you?”
“Me? Naw, not really,” said Yamato. “Granted you won the last match we fought, but you gave me the money for Takeru’s operation. And now here we are again, doing this for money.”
“Money makes the world go around,” sighed Taichi as Hikari slept, clinging to a pendant in her hands. “But it won’t bring happiness.”
“Rider Fights,” said Vivio as she read the magazine that Carter had purchased.
“Take Power Rangers, put them in armored gear, and then pit them as prize fighters. Half wrestling, half prize fighting,” said Carter with a touch of distaste in his tone. “It’s been going for generations now. Families typically pass down the Rider powers to their children.”
“Wait, kids are the fighters?” said Yuuno to Carter’s nod. “That’s… so wrong.”
“E tu Yuuno Scrya,” remarked Chrono. “Remember how young we were?”
“Still though,” said Vivio. “Why are they fighting?”
“Fame, glory, money, all of it.” Said Carter, tapping the roster of known Riders, some with big red X’s across their pictures. “This girl here is in the top lead, a Hikari Yagami, aka Kamen Rider Angewomon. Her brother was a top Rider Fight champ in his own day, Kamen Rider WarGreymon.”
“Wait, was?” inquired Chrono.
“Seems that once a Rider hits 15, they lose the authorization to henshin for their Rider League. He could go pro in three more years, but the rules are stricter, and more confining, and much more demanding. He serves as Hikari’s coach.” Said Carter. “Apparently it comes with a pretty big fine.”
“Sounds demanding for all the wrong reasons,” said Vivio, shaking his head. “Imagine Ranger fights. Long hours and running out of the house at all given times is already demanding enough.”
“What are the rules for it?” inquired Yuuno.
“Eight Riders go in, one comes out. You fight until all your opponents are defeated in the Digital World. There’s a whole lot more rules, but basically the battles are fought within the world within a strict boundary. Being tossed out is an O.B., out of bounds which causes an instant loss. More matches have been won with a final O.B.” explained Carter. “Finishing moves like a Rider Kick or whatever knock the opponent out and tamas their powers for that round.”
“Who are we looking at for this next round?” inquired Vivio, suddenly interested.
“Well it’s another eight Rider fight, but looks like one of them is coming in with a handicap. The battle could go on for hours even days until a winner is resolved.” Carter looked at Vivio and scowled. “You have an idea don’t you?”
“Yeah I do. How long do you think it would take to modify my Morpher…?”
“Eh? What do you mean I can’t register for the Rider battles?” inquired a 10 year old Vivio to the woman at the counter.
“Sorry kid, but the rules state you need a official belt from the League,” said the woman with a shake of her head. “It’s the rules, I can’t just let anyone in.”
Vivio gave the Fate-woman look alike a giant wibble. She almost crumbled. ALMOST. “Sorry! I can’t do a thing, my hands are tied. Without a belt and sponsorship from a major group, you can’t possibly go in!”
“Excuse me ma’am,” said a smooth voice from behind the group. “I’ll sponsor her.”
The woman at the counter snapped to attention. “Mr. Ichijoji sir!”
Osamu Ichijoji smiled warmly from his seat in the wheelchair pushed by a young looking boy with similar hair, dressed in a private school uniform. “Ken-chan was thinking about getting a partner for the doubles match he’s scheduled for, but some unknown fresh blood would be good, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Y-yes,” said Vivio, feeling a little overwhelmed. She wanted to participate but the guy was giving her chills.
“Then it’s settled,” said the young man in the suit as he signed papers and said to her, “See you on the court miss.” His younger brother bowed and pushed his brother towards the lockers.
“Well,” said the woman, flustered. “All seems to be in order…”
As the group walked away, Yuuno exhaled. “That guy…”
“Creep factor 12,” said Chrono.
“Like being in the presence of a shark,” said Carter with a scowl. “Damn was he a predator.”
“Still he was nice enough to let me enter,” said Vivio.
A short bitter laugh came from the side as a girl with her arm in a sling walked up. “You were pitied,” she said sadly. “No one survives a doubles match with Ken Ichijoji, not with that creep of a brother as his sponsor.”
“You know about him?” asked Carter.
“Duh, Osamu Ichijoji, the former Kamen Rider Stingmon. Former until his accident at least. He was a nice guy, so they say. And then he turned real nasty after a battle where he got a injury to the neck.” The violet haired girl sighed. “My sister Momoe used to fight with him. This is what I got in the last doubles match.” And she wiggled her arm with a grimace.
“I’m sorry,” said Vivio.
“Ah it’s okay. I wasn’t doing well in the league anyhow. I’m Miyako Inoue. Kamen Rider Silphmon. Hey, Iori! Come over here, say hello!”
A shorter kid walked up, a solemn expression on his face. “Everyone this is Kamen Rider Shakkoumon, Iori Hida. He’s my doubles partner.”
“How do you do,” said Iori politely, noticing the devices on their bodies. “Are you all Riders?”
“Sort of in a way,” said Carter. “We’re from another league, but wanted to let Vivio try.”
“That creep Ichijoji signed her up as her partner for doubles,” grumbled Miyako.
“That says something, considering Daisuke asked me to be his double partner since you’re injured,” said Iori. “Why would a creep like Osamu even allow it?”
“He likes the pain,” growled Miyako.
“You understand, little brother? Eliminate those Riders and defeat the new girl.”
“Yes oniisan.”
“And stand up straight. Don’t worry, we can’t be stopped.”
“Yes oniisan.”
“Okay here’s the list of opponents next Rider War,” said Miyako, placing a sheet on the table. “First off there’s the Hikari-Takeru duo, Kamen Rider Angewomon and Angemon. They’re highly favored and since they do well in the grand melee, they’re favored for the doubles too.”
“Angewomon specializes in long range bow attacks while Angemon has close in staff attacks,” said Iori.
“The next is Iori and Daisuke, Kamen Rider Shakkoumon and Kamen Rider Paildramon. Daisuke used to be Ken’s partner, before Osamu drove them apart.” Said Miyako.
“I specialize in sword attacks, while Daisuke has a twin cannon style. He’s slower, but he can fly so he’s got the edge on that.” Said Iori.
“Handy,” said Carter. “How many doubles?”
“It’s four on four, each doubles team counting as one for a grand total of eight,” explained Miyako. “And this way, it keeps the Riders from turning on each other. Or so the story goes.”
“The next team are from overseas. Kamen Rider Blade and Kamen Rider Thunder, from Wales actually,” said Iori as he tapped a picture of a girl with her ponytails with bells and a young looking young man. “Blade specializes in sword attacks too, but she’s got a special power to negate Final Attacks. Be careful of that girl. Her partner, Lightning, has a clock up ability which allows him to move at a quarter lightspeed for a short period of time. Their names are Asuna Kagurazaka from Germany, and Negi Springfield from Wales.”
“Another major team you need to worry about is the heavily favored American teams too. This one here, Kamen Rider Omni aka Ben Tennyson. He’s able to shift his form to several distinct Rider forms granting him powers. His partner varies but it’s either his cousin Gwen Tennyson or his friend Kevin Levin. All three of them boast considerable power and experience, as they were present for the Great Rider War.” said Iori with a shake of his head.
“The Great Rider War?” inquired Yuuno. “What was that?”
“…” Iori and Miyako looked at each other and Miyako said, “It was the day all Riders of this generation got their powers. There hasn’t been a Rider War Games for ages, not until the Digital World appeared.”
Vivio sat at the edge of a fountain in the Rider War plaza, thinking of what the others told her.
For the longest time, there had been only Rangers. They protected our people for years, and there had been peace. But in the year 1999, a group of kids at summer camp and one teacher was sent into another reality known as the Digital World. Granted the spirits of great Digimon Heroes, they were given the power to Henshin into powerful armored people.
But they weren’t alone. All over the world, children looked into the sky and saw the rift, and people speculated it was the end of the world. And then, Belts began to appear. Kids of all ages were drawn into what was known as the Great Rider War. The story is nearly lost to memory because memory of the great rift between worlds has been closed off save for reflective screens. These children fought and some died, and in the ensuring battles the teacher, the greatest Ranger of them all gave his life to save the kids who he cherished as his own.
Years later, a massive corporation approached Riders all over the world, and invited them to the stadiums being constructed. It was a Rider War in all but memory, a grand melee where no one got hurt. Some Riders refused, others leaped to the challenge and monetary prizes. For whatever reason, it was spirit vs spirit, Rider vs Rider, the greatest of battles continued in the vast digital landscape, now free of danger.
They called the first true life and death battles the great Rider War, and the Rangers were sent into obscurity. Even now they are urban legend.
“Penny for your thoughts?” said a young voice as Vivio looked up at Hikari Yagami. “Hi. You’re the new girl, Vivio Takamachi right?”
Vivio nodded, her fake last name serving her well. “Yes that’s right. Oh you’re Rider Angewomon, Hikari Yagami correct?”
“That’s right.” Hikari reached down and took a photograph of Vivio before giggling. “It’s a habit of mine.”
Sitting down, she offered her cookies from a small sack. “Here, a gift. I saw you out here and thought you could use them. You look worried.”
“Thanks.” Vivio took the food and bit into it. “It’s good.”
Hikari smiled. “So Vivio, any relation to Kamen Rider Buster? You know, Nanoha Takamachi?”
Vivio coughed. There was a Nanoha here too? “N-no, just completely coincidental,” she managed.
Hikari smiled. “Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me. I see you’re registered in the doubles melee.”
“Yes, with Ken Ichijoji as my partner,” said Vivio as she fiddled with the cookie bag. “I don’t know what to think about that?”
“Ken’s fine, it’s his brother who’s a real creep,” said Hikari. “He’s a nice sweet guy, but totally not my type.” The last was said with a giggle.
Vivio giggled as well and the girls shared a moment. “So Vivio, where are you from?”
“Um, Reefside, in the States,” said Vivio. “Yuuno, Chrono and Carter are my guardians.”
“I heard that place is nice,” said Hikari thoughtfully. “They say a team of Rangers has appeared there.”
Vivio tried not to think about that. If the greatest Ranger in the world gave his life for these kids… then her father was dead. Poor mom, living without him. “Yeah, it’s a nice place.”
Hikari tapped her lip thoughtfully. “You know, we’re allowed to spar. Want to give it a little go?”
“Huh?” said Vivio. “But I couldn’t possibly…”
“Don’t worry, we won’t be facing each other in the next line up,” said Hikari. “We’ll be okay. Trust me.”
Vivio thought about it and nodded. “Alright.”
Hikari grinned and took Vivio’s hand, leading her to the nearby store window. She pulled out her tag from her neck and a belt appeared. “Let’s go.”
Vivio nodded as she flipped the device in her hands and Hikari looked at it curiously before stating, “Henshin!” The belt appeared and she slotted it into the top of her belt. In a blast of light, a white and pink Rider was formed.
“SPD Emergency!” proclaimed Vivio as she threw forward her arm and energy rushed, forming into her white armor and spandex. Looking at Hikari, the girl seemed to be dumbstruck. “What?”
“Those are Ranger powers, not Rider powers,” said Hikari accusingly. Vivio flinched. “But it’s not any one I’ve ever seen before. It… reminds me of sensei.”
“I’m sorry, I should have said something,” said Vivio. “It’s hard to talk about him in the past sense.”
“Did you know sensei?” inquired Hikari as the pair headed for the window and to her surprise, Vivio passed into the digital world as well.
“Yeah. He’s my father.”
BEEP. The arena around them flared to life. “Practice Round, Kamen Rider Angewomon vs SPD Riot Ranger 05 White! Ready? Here we go!”
Hikari drew her sword and Vivio’s gun snapped out, transforming into a sword as well. “You’ll have to tell me all about him when we’re done here.” Said Hikari before she lunged.
Vivio met her head-on lunge with her own parry. “Count on it.”
“Sir! You called for me?”
“Indeed I did, Osamu. What do you see here?”
“I see… a Ranger fighting a Rider.”
“As the prophesy fortold, the Ranger in White has arrived. The moment of reckoning is upon us.”
Osamu’s brow furrowed. “All that we’ve worked for. And you’ll remove the seed when it’s time?”
“Yes, don’t worry. All is as according to plan.” And the form pressed a button as several doors in the arena opened, revealing digimon bound with dark spirals.