drunkenpandaren (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
drunkenpandaren) wrote2011-01-01 03:04 pm
drunkenpandaren) wrote2011-01-01 03:04 pm
Entry tags:
Journey Through the Decade - Chapter 1
After reading a plot bunny on Nintramy's fanfiction dot net page, I got to thinking about Naruto and how I could have done my own version of a Decade-style crossover. He or she suggested fanfiction universes, and while I have few, I decided on a topic of Fanfiction Genres.
As such, the nine worlds are divided into the nine subsections of Fanfiction TYPES we find on Fnet.
Kuuga - "Slice of Life" A normal life fic where everything is nice and regular. Or so we think.
Agito - "Angels" When the monsters are more hidden, does it make you realize that someone is divine?
Faiz - "Dangerous Hidden Secret" A secret lurks in everyone's heart, what can they manage to produce in time?
Hibiki - "Boybands" Music guides and thrums in our soul, the pounding of the beat and the screams of the fans.
Blade - "Original Generation" To the future we hold, clambering upon aspects of the universe.
Den-O - "Time Travel" When the past is the future and the future is the past, Ride the Liner to the Present
Ryuki - "Evil Twin" They say everyone's got a double somewhere. What if our family was our greatest threat?
Kiva - "Demons" When everyone's a monster, does holding the power of Kiva make one a god?
Kabuto - "Exile" When the hero has been exiled, what choice does he have but to keep running?
This dream again…
It doesn’t make sense. Attack after attack, explosions. Men and women in armor. What does it all mean? I clutch my head, ducking down. I’m no coward, this I know. But why? Why does the image of the magenta-colored person fill me with such happiness and dread?
Why?
“Kamen Rider… Decade…”
“…to. Naruto! Geez get up.”
Naruto blinked himself awake at the poking of Sakura who leaned over him. “You fell asleep,” she said. “Did you finish the reports?”
“Ah, sorry Sakura-chan,” said Naruto, pulling a slightly damp paper from under him. “I wanted to uh, rest my eyes and…”
Sakura sighed. “Get some rest Naruto, and go to bed. You haven’t slept in a while since you came back.”
“Hard to, with what happened to Gaara.” Said Naruto honestly. Getting up with a groan, he staggered to the door.
“Were you having a good dream at least?” inquired Sakura.
“… yeah I did!” exclaimed Naruto with a thumbs up. “Lots and lots of ramen!”
Sakura hung her head. “You’re hopeless.”
You can stop this you know…
“You can stop this,” said Sasuke as he walked by me, dressed unusually in a long brown coat reminiscent of Anko’s trench and a low hat. He had a blindfold across his eyes. What was he badass enough now that he didn’t need to see? Tch, bastard.
The masked warriors rushed forward and clashed in a great attack. A massive castle erupted from the skyline and rained fire down around us. I tried not to cringe. It was carnage on a grand scale. And they seemed to have no target, other than the mutual one in the crown-like helm.
“Stop him, the destroyer of worlds – DECADE!”
Naruto snapped to attention again as Ayame poked him. “Naruto-kun, you nearly fell into your ramen!” she said. “Are you all right?”
“Huh? Oh just not getting enough sleep Ayame-chan,” said Naruto. “I’ve been finding it harder and harder to do lately.”
Blearily he looked into his steaming bowl of Pork Ramen and muttered, “Ikidakimasu,” before slurping down a mouthful of noodles.
“Is there anything we can do kid?” inquired Teuchi. “Between Ayame and me, we can fix you a dish of kings!”
“Well if you could get the dreams to stop, then maybe…” said Naruto.
“What sort of dreams?” inquired Ayame.
Naruto sighed, paused for a moment and related it to them. “I’m standing in a mountain range, not one I’ve seen when suddenly, explosions happen everywhere. There’s… armored figures racing from side to side, attacking one another, turning on each other without finishing off the other. Giant things from the sky appear, a train, and a castle with a monster inside it. And in the middle of it, a magenta-colored person in armor, with a crown above his head.”
Naruto looked up. “And then Sasuke is there, standing, dressed in one of Anko’s coats telling me I can stop him, Decade…”
Ayame and Teuchi looked at one another. “Kid,” said Teuchi. “I don’t think that’s a normal dream. One that detailed and repeated… sounds like prophesy.”
“I have to agree with father,” said Ayame. “There can’t be anything good from that there. Why don’t you—“
“Excuse me,” said a voice to the side and the three looked up at a young man with long blonde hair to his shoulders. “Can I get three pork ramen to go?”
“Of course, coming right up!” exclaimed Teuchi, their previous seriousness forgotten for the moment.
The stranger looked down at Naruto and Naruto looked back. Blue eyes met blue eyes and Naruto’s eyes widened as his own darted to the strangers waist. A belt like a camera…
“You…” he breathed as Teuchi wrapped his bowls and handed it to him.
“How interesting,” murmured the stranger in Naruto’s ear as he passed by. “To think, I would exist in a world without Riders…”
Sitting stock still for a long moment, Naruto put down his chopsticks and slammed down some money. “I gotta go Ayame-neechan, Teuchi-san! Something came up!”
Before he could go, Ayame grabbed his jacket. “Hurry back,” she said seriously and Naruto nodded.
“Evacuate?” inquired Tsunade of the stranger who calmly ate his ramen in front of her. “Why should we? There is no impending threat at the moment!”
“There always is,” said the stranger as he finished his bowl and set it down before he crossed his legs and leaned to the side. “It is coming. The battle that will scar this land has begun.”
“What… battle?” inquired Sakura. “If you mean Akatsuki…”
“Tch,” tched the young man. “They’re a drop in the bucket. No, I am talking about…”
The door slammed open as Naruto stood there, breathing heavily. “GET AWAY FROM THEM DECADE!”
“Naruto wha--?” gaped Sakura. “You know this guy?”
Naruto seethed. He knew it was him, he knew it. Something deep down inside he KNEW this was the one who would bring calamity. He saw it in his eyes, those brilliant sapphire orbs. So kind and gentle yet efficient and ruthless. Pointing a finger at him, he declared, “That war… will not happen in Konoha!”
Silence. And the young man lifted his eyes to meet Naruto’s. “I see,” said the young man. “So… Sasuke got to you too.”
“Sasuke-kun?!” exclaimed Tsunade, slamming her hands on the table, careful not to break it. “What of the Uchiha?!”
“Who are you? What do you want from us?” demanded Sakura.
“What I demand… is that you get away before it begins,” said the young man as he held up a card and the sound of a motorcycle revving could be heard. “It begins now.”
“You…” growled Naruto as he lunged.
But in a smooth motion, the man sidestepped as he ripped off the belt, and slammed it around Naruto’s middle. Naruto stumbled and looked at it in shock. “Wha…?”
“You need to carry on my work Naruto,” said Decade. “Prevent the ten worlds from merging into one. Yours is at risk already. I bequeath the last of my power to you.”
Decade smirked as whisker-like marks flickered into existence and both Tsunade and Sakura stared in shock as Decade smiled, but sadly as he began to grey out and fade. “Continue my work Naruto. I’m counting on you… And tell the old man and Ayame-chan… their noodles are best.”
And with that, Decade, Naruto Uzumaki, faded away as a book case clattered to the floor, and the card that had been in his hand, flew to Naruto’s own.
“Decade… I… I am a destroyer…”
Naruto’s legs gave out on him as he sunk to the ground in misery.
“Naruto…” Sakura knelt down next to him and carefully gave him a hug.
“We need to…” started Tsunade but suddenly, there was an explosion from outside and the Hokage leaped to her feet. “What now?!”
“Hokage-sama!” cried a Chuunin as he leaped into the room. “There are monsters attacking!”
“Monsters? Sakura, Naruto! Gather as many as you can and fight them off! Hurry! I’ll be with you shortly.” Ordered Tsunade. “Juusei, start evacuation!”
“This is my fault, this is my fault,” moaned Naruto as he buried his face in his hands. “If I had never come…!”
“GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF NARUTO!” roared Tsunade, making the young man look up. “This isn’t time to get upset, this is the time for action! You need to help as much as possible, for the sake of everyone who lives here!”
The building rocked from an impact as the streets were being filled with countless monstrous soldiers who wanted nothing but destruction. One even took a shot at the faces on the mountain and the Third’s face earned a gash across it. “Sakura!” added Tsunade. “Protect Naruto. He’s our only clue to this!”
“Yes Hokage-sama!” exclaimed Sakura, all business as she pulled Naruto to his feet. “Get a hold of yourself!”
Naruto nodded, trying to shake himself to awareness as he picked up the RideBooker. “Lets go, Sakura-chan.”
“This way, to the shelters hurry!” exclaimed Iruka as he guided civilians. “Hurry now!”
A pair of Fangire descended upon the man and grabbed him, throwing him to the dirt. “FOR DAI-SHOCKER!” roared the Fangire as he reached down to drain Iruka dry.
Iruka, too stunned to move, looked up at his attacker and grimaced. “I hope I taste bad,” he growled out, seconds before kunai perforated the opponent. Looking up at his savior, he gasped, “Kakashi?”
“Get up, Iruka,” said the lazy Jounin as he pulled out more Kunai and threw it at the lunging Fangire. “They go down easily, but they don’t stay down.”
Iruka nodded as he scrambled to his feet and delivered a sharp blow to another one in the group. “They’re everywhere, what are they?”
“Monsters,” replied Kakashi simply as his hands flew into seals as he blew a fireball into the group, setting several on fire. “Where they came from, I’m not sure.”
“Thank you captain obvious,” groused Iruka, producing wire from his jacket and fanning out strings of it. “I’ll buy you a drink if we survive this.”
“Mmm,” said Kakashi in agreement as the two set to work.
Slowly the pair set to work, getting the streets cleared when Naruto and Sakura showed up. “Kakashi-sensei! Iruka-sensei!” exclaimed Sakura, dragging the distraught Naruto along with her.
“Are the streets clear?” asked Kakashi.
“Yes, we’ve made sure of that,” said Sakura breathlessly. She then noticed the wounded monsters getting up and made an eep noise. “They’re uglier up close!”
“They won’t stay down,” growled Iruka. “Naruto, are you okay?”
“It’s my fault,” muttered Naruto as he clenched the card in his hand. “It’s my fault and I need to fix it!”
“Naruto…” said Sakura.
“It’s my fault Sakura-chan! I had the dreams, I had the warning, I saw Decade and did nothing! Now it’s time for me to clean up his mess.”
Stepping forward to the huge pile of monsters now there, he declared loudly, “OI! Listen up you jerks! You’re not welcome in our world! My other self didn’t cast you out so I will! LEAVE! If not…” And he held up the card and the monsters recoiled visibly. “I’ll make you.”
“This is it,” said their currently unseen observer from the side. “This is the power… of Decade.”
“HENSHIN!” proclaimed Naruto, turning the card around with a sound of a revving motorcycle.
“KAMEN RIDE!” boomed the belt as a holographic lettering on the belt appeared and Naruto threw the card into the top of it, closing the belt with a snap. “D-D-D-DECADE!”
Nine holograms appeared around him, converging into one and covering him in a black armor as ten cards appeared in the air and slammed backwards into his head, forming a crown and changing his color scheme from pure black to black and magenta as his eye plates turned green.
“All Fangire huh,” said Naruto, information filling his mind. “Well then…”
Withdrawing a golden card, he slammed it into his belt. “I’ll finish you all in one blow!”
“Final Attack Ride: D-D-D-Decade!” proclaimed the belt as a line of holographic cards appeared between him and the mass of Fangire. Leaping high into the air, Naruto passed through the cards as he impacted with a loud cry, destroying the lot of them.
“Decade, how incredible of a power,” said the observer, walking into view, clapping his hands. “And how utterly destructive.”
The three ninja turned towards the observer and Sakura gasped. “Sasuke-kun?”
“Sasuke…” said Kakashi, dropping into a ready stance. “What are you…?”
Sasuke smiled as Naruto got up, looking at him. “You’re… not our Sasuke are you?”
“No I am not,” replied Sasuke in a jovial tone, one they had never heard from him before as he walked over and flung his arms open. “I am merely a watcher of sorts. Naruto, you inherited the power of a grand destroyer. HOW WONDERFUL! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!”
Naruto sweatdropped as well as everyone else. “Uh… thank you?”
The Sasuke-look alike laughed as he clapped Naruto on the shoulder. “Take heart, for your journey has just begun! There are countless worlds out there, but few Rider Worlds. You need to continue the journey to stop the legacy of the Destroyer, and become the Creator!”
“Other worlds… other Riders…” murmured Sakura.
“I don’t understand…” said Naruto as the sirens pettered out. “I thought… I had to stop Decade? But I am him… I have the power to stop him!”
“Then stop your journey, before it begins,” said Sasuke, suddenly serious. “But Naruto…” And he clapped him on the shoulders. “A beginning… is a WONDERFUL THING!” he howled.
Iruka leaned over to Kakashi. “I think I liked Sasuke better when he wasn’t…” And he made a spinning motion with his finger.
“Naruto, there are nine other worlds out there, each with their own Rider. But during the first journey of the original Decade, he sealed them all away in an attempt to prevent the Rider Worlds from colliding. But balance BALANCE is needed!” Sasuke slapped Naruto on the shoulder with a grin. “You must go to these worlds, and wake them UP.”
His expression turned serious again. “But… there is another problem. You will find opposition to all of it. Your actions, deeds… the tale of Decade is that of unholy heralds. Countless lives hate Decade. If not by name or reputation.”
“… What must I do?”
“Go to the old man, Teuchi-san. He’ll explain the rest. And find loyal companions as well. Their aid will be needed.”
Smiling once more, Sasuke slapped him in the shoulder. “Oh and…” he handed him a small wrapped box. “Happy Birthday.”
And mists gathered around Sasuke before he vanished, leaving them with a box which Naruto opened, transforming back from his armored state to reveal a cake.
“Happy Birthday: Decade.”
The damage was extensive, but nothing that Konoha could recover from. The casualty rate had been extremely low too, as if it was a probing attack rather than a full attack. And in the middle of it, Tsunade was listening to the reports from the others when she raised her head at the mention of the ramen vendor.
“Teuchi? What does he have to do with it?” inquired Tsunade curiously.
“It’s what the other Sasuke said,” said Iruka. “He said he’d have the answers. Kakashi, Sakura and Naruto are there right now.”
Tsunade nodded. “Keep me informed.”
“Old man you here?” inquired Naruto as he walked up to the house and opened the door. “Old man!”
“Over here Naruto.” Called out Teuchi from a parlor room. The house looked… odd. Like it was built for an entirely different archetectual style with a front desk and everything. Pictures dotted the wall and the older man was in the room, fussing over a large old-style camera.
“Teuchi-san,” said Kakashi. “We were told you had the answers we sought.”
Teuchi smiled as he stood up fully and nodded. “Indeed I do. First, tea. We need something to perk our minds!”
Sakura moved into the room, hands brushing against a magenta object and she picked it up. “Is this a camera?” she asked. “It’s very advanced…”
“Ah, yes it is,” said Teuchi as he bustled in with four cups. “It belonged to a great man.”
“You mean, Decade.” Said Naruto as Teuchi poured the tea.
“Yes, I mean Decade. He wasn’t always known as Decade though,” said Teuchi wistfully. “When I first met him, I was young. It had been years though since the Original Decade passed through.”
“Original Decade,” said Kakashi, having drained his tea without even removing his mask. “You mean there is more than one?”
“Indeed.” Teuchi poured his own tea and sat down, bringing the kitty-styled glass to his lips and taking a sip. “Over time, Decade realized that his journey would never end. And sooner or later, he would meet another Decade, one that would change the worlds around them. And the cycle would continue. Even Shocker, their enemy, would be there. As such, with the help of his friends, Decade created five belts, each with the powers of ten Riders to begin with, and sent them across the worlds. The belt you wear, is Decade V, the fifth DecaDriver and RideBooker.”
Naruto looked down at the belt he hadn’t removed. “What happened to the original?”
“Probably still out there,” said Teuchi honestly. “We’d like to think so, the Brotherhood of Watchers. We are sort of a Rider Specialty group, watching for when a world would gain a Rider. There are more than nine worlds, but it’s like a circuit.”
“I have just one question Teuchi-san: is Decade a threat?” inquired Kakashi softly.
Teuchi paused at that. “A threat? Certainly. But a threat to his friends, well, that’s all a different story. Decade works differently from other Riders. Sometimes the worlds reject him, forcing him on an eternal journey. Sometimes, Decade protects a world from Riders coming INTO his world. It’s all subjective. In Naruto’s case, he is to wake UP Riders who have been sealed, from the previous Decade V’s actions.”
“Ayame-chan is off making preparations, for the journey ahead.” Said Teuchi. “Naruto, you were always special, and now, the time is right. The Journey Through the Decade, now begins.”
Teuchi smiled at him. “Kakashi-san, Sakura-chan, are you two willing to come along, and Ride with the Devil?”
“We’ll have to make due then,” said Tsunade as they explained everything. “Sakura, Kakashi, you two will be working together with Naruto for the sake of our worlds. If what Teuchi-san said is true, and this not-Sasuke, then our worlds are going to collide, without the presence of Riders.”
“Yes that’s right,” said Kakashi.
“I’m assigning you one more on the team,” said Tsunade. “Iruka wishes to accompany you three.”
“Really?” exclaimed Naruto, excited to have the man who he considered a brother-father with him.
“That’s right. He is getting provisions for the trip ahead. This will be a S-Ranked Mission. Report back when you return.” Tsunade nodded at them. “Dismissed.”
As the three left, she sighed and palmed her face. “Come out Jiraiya.”
The hermit-sage clambered in through the window. “Decade huh… there’s a name I thought I wouldn’t hear in a long time.”
“A destroyer and a creator huh…” said Tsunade. “What do you think?”
Jiraiya shrugged. “I think they could have done worse. Let’s hope the kid knows what he’s doing now.”
Tsunade nodded as she clasped her hands together. “Be safe Naruto…”
As such, the nine worlds are divided into the nine subsections of Fanfiction TYPES we find on Fnet.
Kuuga - "Slice of Life" A normal life fic where everything is nice and regular. Or so we think.
Agito - "Angels" When the monsters are more hidden, does it make you realize that someone is divine?
Faiz - "Dangerous Hidden Secret" A secret lurks in everyone's heart, what can they manage to produce in time?
Hibiki - "Boybands" Music guides and thrums in our soul, the pounding of the beat and the screams of the fans.
Blade - "Original Generation" To the future we hold, clambering upon aspects of the universe.
Den-O - "Time Travel" When the past is the future and the future is the past, Ride the Liner to the Present
Ryuki - "Evil Twin" They say everyone's got a double somewhere. What if our family was our greatest threat?
Kiva - "Demons" When everyone's a monster, does holding the power of Kiva make one a god?
Kabuto - "Exile" When the hero has been exiled, what choice does he have but to keep running?
This dream again…
It doesn’t make sense. Attack after attack, explosions. Men and women in armor. What does it all mean? I clutch my head, ducking down. I’m no coward, this I know. But why? Why does the image of the magenta-colored person fill me with such happiness and dread?
Why?
“Kamen Rider… Decade…”
“…to. Naruto! Geez get up.”
Naruto blinked himself awake at the poking of Sakura who leaned over him. “You fell asleep,” she said. “Did you finish the reports?”
“Ah, sorry Sakura-chan,” said Naruto, pulling a slightly damp paper from under him. “I wanted to uh, rest my eyes and…”
Sakura sighed. “Get some rest Naruto, and go to bed. You haven’t slept in a while since you came back.”
“Hard to, with what happened to Gaara.” Said Naruto honestly. Getting up with a groan, he staggered to the door.
“Were you having a good dream at least?” inquired Sakura.
“… yeah I did!” exclaimed Naruto with a thumbs up. “Lots and lots of ramen!”
Sakura hung her head. “You’re hopeless.”
You can stop this you know…
“You can stop this,” said Sasuke as he walked by me, dressed unusually in a long brown coat reminiscent of Anko’s trench and a low hat. He had a blindfold across his eyes. What was he badass enough now that he didn’t need to see? Tch, bastard.
The masked warriors rushed forward and clashed in a great attack. A massive castle erupted from the skyline and rained fire down around us. I tried not to cringe. It was carnage on a grand scale. And they seemed to have no target, other than the mutual one in the crown-like helm.
“Stop him, the destroyer of worlds – DECADE!”
Naruto snapped to attention again as Ayame poked him. “Naruto-kun, you nearly fell into your ramen!” she said. “Are you all right?”
“Huh? Oh just not getting enough sleep Ayame-chan,” said Naruto. “I’ve been finding it harder and harder to do lately.”
Blearily he looked into his steaming bowl of Pork Ramen and muttered, “Ikidakimasu,” before slurping down a mouthful of noodles.
“Is there anything we can do kid?” inquired Teuchi. “Between Ayame and me, we can fix you a dish of kings!”
“Well if you could get the dreams to stop, then maybe…” said Naruto.
“What sort of dreams?” inquired Ayame.
Naruto sighed, paused for a moment and related it to them. “I’m standing in a mountain range, not one I’ve seen when suddenly, explosions happen everywhere. There’s… armored figures racing from side to side, attacking one another, turning on each other without finishing off the other. Giant things from the sky appear, a train, and a castle with a monster inside it. And in the middle of it, a magenta-colored person in armor, with a crown above his head.”
Naruto looked up. “And then Sasuke is there, standing, dressed in one of Anko’s coats telling me I can stop him, Decade…”
Ayame and Teuchi looked at one another. “Kid,” said Teuchi. “I don’t think that’s a normal dream. One that detailed and repeated… sounds like prophesy.”
“I have to agree with father,” said Ayame. “There can’t be anything good from that there. Why don’t you—“
“Excuse me,” said a voice to the side and the three looked up at a young man with long blonde hair to his shoulders. “Can I get three pork ramen to go?”
“Of course, coming right up!” exclaimed Teuchi, their previous seriousness forgotten for the moment.
The stranger looked down at Naruto and Naruto looked back. Blue eyes met blue eyes and Naruto’s eyes widened as his own darted to the strangers waist. A belt like a camera…
“You…” he breathed as Teuchi wrapped his bowls and handed it to him.
“How interesting,” murmured the stranger in Naruto’s ear as he passed by. “To think, I would exist in a world without Riders…”
Sitting stock still for a long moment, Naruto put down his chopsticks and slammed down some money. “I gotta go Ayame-neechan, Teuchi-san! Something came up!”
Before he could go, Ayame grabbed his jacket. “Hurry back,” she said seriously and Naruto nodded.
“Evacuate?” inquired Tsunade of the stranger who calmly ate his ramen in front of her. “Why should we? There is no impending threat at the moment!”
“There always is,” said the stranger as he finished his bowl and set it down before he crossed his legs and leaned to the side. “It is coming. The battle that will scar this land has begun.”
“What… battle?” inquired Sakura. “If you mean Akatsuki…”
“Tch,” tched the young man. “They’re a drop in the bucket. No, I am talking about…”
The door slammed open as Naruto stood there, breathing heavily. “GET AWAY FROM THEM DECADE!”
“Naruto wha--?” gaped Sakura. “You know this guy?”
Naruto seethed. He knew it was him, he knew it. Something deep down inside he KNEW this was the one who would bring calamity. He saw it in his eyes, those brilliant sapphire orbs. So kind and gentle yet efficient and ruthless. Pointing a finger at him, he declared, “That war… will not happen in Konoha!”
Silence. And the young man lifted his eyes to meet Naruto’s. “I see,” said the young man. “So… Sasuke got to you too.”
“Sasuke-kun?!” exclaimed Tsunade, slamming her hands on the table, careful not to break it. “What of the Uchiha?!”
“Who are you? What do you want from us?” demanded Sakura.
“What I demand… is that you get away before it begins,” said the young man as he held up a card and the sound of a motorcycle revving could be heard. “It begins now.”
“You…” growled Naruto as he lunged.
But in a smooth motion, the man sidestepped as he ripped off the belt, and slammed it around Naruto’s middle. Naruto stumbled and looked at it in shock. “Wha…?”
“You need to carry on my work Naruto,” said Decade. “Prevent the ten worlds from merging into one. Yours is at risk already. I bequeath the last of my power to you.”
Decade smirked as whisker-like marks flickered into existence and both Tsunade and Sakura stared in shock as Decade smiled, but sadly as he began to grey out and fade. “Continue my work Naruto. I’m counting on you… And tell the old man and Ayame-chan… their noodles are best.”
And with that, Decade, Naruto Uzumaki, faded away as a book case clattered to the floor, and the card that had been in his hand, flew to Naruto’s own.
“Decade… I… I am a destroyer…”
Naruto’s legs gave out on him as he sunk to the ground in misery.
“Naruto…” Sakura knelt down next to him and carefully gave him a hug.
“We need to…” started Tsunade but suddenly, there was an explosion from outside and the Hokage leaped to her feet. “What now?!”
“Hokage-sama!” cried a Chuunin as he leaped into the room. “There are monsters attacking!”
“Monsters? Sakura, Naruto! Gather as many as you can and fight them off! Hurry! I’ll be with you shortly.” Ordered Tsunade. “Juusei, start evacuation!”
“This is my fault, this is my fault,” moaned Naruto as he buried his face in his hands. “If I had never come…!”
“GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF NARUTO!” roared Tsunade, making the young man look up. “This isn’t time to get upset, this is the time for action! You need to help as much as possible, for the sake of everyone who lives here!”
The building rocked from an impact as the streets were being filled with countless monstrous soldiers who wanted nothing but destruction. One even took a shot at the faces on the mountain and the Third’s face earned a gash across it. “Sakura!” added Tsunade. “Protect Naruto. He’s our only clue to this!”
“Yes Hokage-sama!” exclaimed Sakura, all business as she pulled Naruto to his feet. “Get a hold of yourself!”
Naruto nodded, trying to shake himself to awareness as he picked up the RideBooker. “Lets go, Sakura-chan.”
“This way, to the shelters hurry!” exclaimed Iruka as he guided civilians. “Hurry now!”
A pair of Fangire descended upon the man and grabbed him, throwing him to the dirt. “FOR DAI-SHOCKER!” roared the Fangire as he reached down to drain Iruka dry.
Iruka, too stunned to move, looked up at his attacker and grimaced. “I hope I taste bad,” he growled out, seconds before kunai perforated the opponent. Looking up at his savior, he gasped, “Kakashi?”
“Get up, Iruka,” said the lazy Jounin as he pulled out more Kunai and threw it at the lunging Fangire. “They go down easily, but they don’t stay down.”
Iruka nodded as he scrambled to his feet and delivered a sharp blow to another one in the group. “They’re everywhere, what are they?”
“Monsters,” replied Kakashi simply as his hands flew into seals as he blew a fireball into the group, setting several on fire. “Where they came from, I’m not sure.”
“Thank you captain obvious,” groused Iruka, producing wire from his jacket and fanning out strings of it. “I’ll buy you a drink if we survive this.”
“Mmm,” said Kakashi in agreement as the two set to work.
Slowly the pair set to work, getting the streets cleared when Naruto and Sakura showed up. “Kakashi-sensei! Iruka-sensei!” exclaimed Sakura, dragging the distraught Naruto along with her.
“Are the streets clear?” asked Kakashi.
“Yes, we’ve made sure of that,” said Sakura breathlessly. She then noticed the wounded monsters getting up and made an eep noise. “They’re uglier up close!”
“They won’t stay down,” growled Iruka. “Naruto, are you okay?”
“It’s my fault,” muttered Naruto as he clenched the card in his hand. “It’s my fault and I need to fix it!”
“Naruto…” said Sakura.
“It’s my fault Sakura-chan! I had the dreams, I had the warning, I saw Decade and did nothing! Now it’s time for me to clean up his mess.”
Stepping forward to the huge pile of monsters now there, he declared loudly, “OI! Listen up you jerks! You’re not welcome in our world! My other self didn’t cast you out so I will! LEAVE! If not…” And he held up the card and the monsters recoiled visibly. “I’ll make you.”
“This is it,” said their currently unseen observer from the side. “This is the power… of Decade.”
“HENSHIN!” proclaimed Naruto, turning the card around with a sound of a revving motorcycle.
“KAMEN RIDE!” boomed the belt as a holographic lettering on the belt appeared and Naruto threw the card into the top of it, closing the belt with a snap. “D-D-D-DECADE!”
Nine holograms appeared around him, converging into one and covering him in a black armor as ten cards appeared in the air and slammed backwards into his head, forming a crown and changing his color scheme from pure black to black and magenta as his eye plates turned green.
“All Fangire huh,” said Naruto, information filling his mind. “Well then…”
Withdrawing a golden card, he slammed it into his belt. “I’ll finish you all in one blow!”
“Final Attack Ride: D-D-D-Decade!” proclaimed the belt as a line of holographic cards appeared between him and the mass of Fangire. Leaping high into the air, Naruto passed through the cards as he impacted with a loud cry, destroying the lot of them.
“Decade, how incredible of a power,” said the observer, walking into view, clapping his hands. “And how utterly destructive.”
The three ninja turned towards the observer and Sakura gasped. “Sasuke-kun?”
“Sasuke…” said Kakashi, dropping into a ready stance. “What are you…?”
Sasuke smiled as Naruto got up, looking at him. “You’re… not our Sasuke are you?”
“No I am not,” replied Sasuke in a jovial tone, one they had never heard from him before as he walked over and flung his arms open. “I am merely a watcher of sorts. Naruto, you inherited the power of a grand destroyer. HOW WONDERFUL! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!”
Naruto sweatdropped as well as everyone else. “Uh… thank you?”
The Sasuke-look alike laughed as he clapped Naruto on the shoulder. “Take heart, for your journey has just begun! There are countless worlds out there, but few Rider Worlds. You need to continue the journey to stop the legacy of the Destroyer, and become the Creator!”
“Other worlds… other Riders…” murmured Sakura.
“I don’t understand…” said Naruto as the sirens pettered out. “I thought… I had to stop Decade? But I am him… I have the power to stop him!”
“Then stop your journey, before it begins,” said Sasuke, suddenly serious. “But Naruto…” And he clapped him on the shoulders. “A beginning… is a WONDERFUL THING!” he howled.
Iruka leaned over to Kakashi. “I think I liked Sasuke better when he wasn’t…” And he made a spinning motion with his finger.
“Naruto, there are nine other worlds out there, each with their own Rider. But during the first journey of the original Decade, he sealed them all away in an attempt to prevent the Rider Worlds from colliding. But balance BALANCE is needed!” Sasuke slapped Naruto on the shoulder with a grin. “You must go to these worlds, and wake them UP.”
His expression turned serious again. “But… there is another problem. You will find opposition to all of it. Your actions, deeds… the tale of Decade is that of unholy heralds. Countless lives hate Decade. If not by name or reputation.”
“… What must I do?”
“Go to the old man, Teuchi-san. He’ll explain the rest. And find loyal companions as well. Their aid will be needed.”
Smiling once more, Sasuke slapped him in the shoulder. “Oh and…” he handed him a small wrapped box. “Happy Birthday.”
And mists gathered around Sasuke before he vanished, leaving them with a box which Naruto opened, transforming back from his armored state to reveal a cake.
“Happy Birthday: Decade.”
The damage was extensive, but nothing that Konoha could recover from. The casualty rate had been extremely low too, as if it was a probing attack rather than a full attack. And in the middle of it, Tsunade was listening to the reports from the others when she raised her head at the mention of the ramen vendor.
“Teuchi? What does he have to do with it?” inquired Tsunade curiously.
“It’s what the other Sasuke said,” said Iruka. “He said he’d have the answers. Kakashi, Sakura and Naruto are there right now.”
Tsunade nodded. “Keep me informed.”
“Old man you here?” inquired Naruto as he walked up to the house and opened the door. “Old man!”
“Over here Naruto.” Called out Teuchi from a parlor room. The house looked… odd. Like it was built for an entirely different archetectual style with a front desk and everything. Pictures dotted the wall and the older man was in the room, fussing over a large old-style camera.
“Teuchi-san,” said Kakashi. “We were told you had the answers we sought.”
Teuchi smiled as he stood up fully and nodded. “Indeed I do. First, tea. We need something to perk our minds!”
Sakura moved into the room, hands brushing against a magenta object and she picked it up. “Is this a camera?” she asked. “It’s very advanced…”
“Ah, yes it is,” said Teuchi as he bustled in with four cups. “It belonged to a great man.”
“You mean, Decade.” Said Naruto as Teuchi poured the tea.
“Yes, I mean Decade. He wasn’t always known as Decade though,” said Teuchi wistfully. “When I first met him, I was young. It had been years though since the Original Decade passed through.”
“Original Decade,” said Kakashi, having drained his tea without even removing his mask. “You mean there is more than one?”
“Indeed.” Teuchi poured his own tea and sat down, bringing the kitty-styled glass to his lips and taking a sip. “Over time, Decade realized that his journey would never end. And sooner or later, he would meet another Decade, one that would change the worlds around them. And the cycle would continue. Even Shocker, their enemy, would be there. As such, with the help of his friends, Decade created five belts, each with the powers of ten Riders to begin with, and sent them across the worlds. The belt you wear, is Decade V, the fifth DecaDriver and RideBooker.”
Naruto looked down at the belt he hadn’t removed. “What happened to the original?”
“Probably still out there,” said Teuchi honestly. “We’d like to think so, the Brotherhood of Watchers. We are sort of a Rider Specialty group, watching for when a world would gain a Rider. There are more than nine worlds, but it’s like a circuit.”
“I have just one question Teuchi-san: is Decade a threat?” inquired Kakashi softly.
Teuchi paused at that. “A threat? Certainly. But a threat to his friends, well, that’s all a different story. Decade works differently from other Riders. Sometimes the worlds reject him, forcing him on an eternal journey. Sometimes, Decade protects a world from Riders coming INTO his world. It’s all subjective. In Naruto’s case, he is to wake UP Riders who have been sealed, from the previous Decade V’s actions.”
“Ayame-chan is off making preparations, for the journey ahead.” Said Teuchi. “Naruto, you were always special, and now, the time is right. The Journey Through the Decade, now begins.”
Teuchi smiled at him. “Kakashi-san, Sakura-chan, are you two willing to come along, and Ride with the Devil?”
“We’ll have to make due then,” said Tsunade as they explained everything. “Sakura, Kakashi, you two will be working together with Naruto for the sake of our worlds. If what Teuchi-san said is true, and this not-Sasuke, then our worlds are going to collide, without the presence of Riders.”
“Yes that’s right,” said Kakashi.
“I’m assigning you one more on the team,” said Tsunade. “Iruka wishes to accompany you three.”
“Really?” exclaimed Naruto, excited to have the man who he considered a brother-father with him.
“That’s right. He is getting provisions for the trip ahead. This will be a S-Ranked Mission. Report back when you return.” Tsunade nodded at them. “Dismissed.”
As the three left, she sighed and palmed her face. “Come out Jiraiya.”
The hermit-sage clambered in through the window. “Decade huh… there’s a name I thought I wouldn’t hear in a long time.”
“A destroyer and a creator huh…” said Tsunade. “What do you think?”
Jiraiya shrugged. “I think they could have done worse. Let’s hope the kid knows what he’s doing now.”
Tsunade nodded as she clasped her hands together. “Be safe Naruto…”