Build La Build
Chapter 26: Stardust Crusaders
1:20 PM
"Oi, oi, oi! Sento, you alright buddy?" Banjou carries his friend over to a nearby bench, "Look at me, come on. Come on, Sento." He pats the senior Rider's face, "Talk to me."
"Need… Barazo…"
The boxer nods, pulling out his phone, "I got it. He'll be here soon, okay?"
Sento grabs his hand, "Tell him… ribs broken, dislocated vertebrae, internal bleeding… Focus on that. Hazard Level can stabilize everything else…"
"I got it, I got it!" Banjou holds his friend's hand tight, "Barazo? We need you over here now! Sento's got broken ribs, internal bleeding, and some… er, dislocated vertebrae. He said that everything else can just be fixed with his high Hazard Level, but it won't matter if he dies first!"
"I gotcha kid! Back alley doctor on the way!" The call drops immediately, and Banjou takes a deep breath.
"Banjou, you gonna be okay?" Senketsu stares at the draconic Rider, who scoffs, "Me? I'm fine. I just want Barazo to hurry up and fix Sento."
"You sure it won't affect your match? You're on next, remember." Banjou's smile fades, "… I'm sure. Besides, he's gonna be the easy one. It's Inumuta, remember? All he does is watch everyone on his little laptop. What's he gonna do? Show my search history to the world?" Banjou suddenly stops, a look of absolute horror on his face, "You don't think he could do that, could he?"
Suddenly everyone thought the ground had a very interesting design, and whistling seemed to be a great idea.
"… Oh god."
2:00 PM
Inumuta is looking at his phone, mild amusement on his face.
In the stands, Ryuko and Mako are glowering at Gamagoori, who is wearing nothing but a towel, "YOU WANNA FIGHT BIG GUY? Sento already whooped you, I can give you a second thrashing if you really want one!"
"Matoi, having lost the battle, I am now a No-Star. Thus I'm to sit with other No-Stars."
Mako jumps up, "Oh I see! You wanna fight us right here?" She sends out empty punches, "I'll take you on right here, right now!"
"Is she always like this?"
"More or less."
Meanwhile on the stage, Banjou tilts his head curiously, "Y'know, this is basically the only time I've ever seen your whole face. You've always got that…" He adjusts his collar over his mouth, "Thing going on."
The Intelligence Chairman smirks, "Is that true? I never would've noticed."
He taps into his phone, 'Emotional disturbance over Kiryu's physical condition. Easy to manipulate from that.'
"Why do ya do something stupid like that anyway? Makes no sense. Are you one of those chuuni guys? You in an Anime Club or something? Wait, did we even fight an Anime Club?"
Maintain façade of ignorance. Jab at ego.
Sanageyama bites back a laugh.
"C-Chuuni? I suppose one as blockheaded as you would know nothing of the intricacies of our tech-based society. I'm not some ignoramus who lives in his parents' basement, contributing nothing to society!"
"No, you just live in Lady Satsuki's basement watching that Mii-tan, and contributing nothing to our academy." Jakuzure sneers at her fellow Chairman, who bites his lip, before taking a deep breath.
"I will not allow you to ruin my performance in this battle, Jakuzure." He looks to Banjou again, "Whenever you're ready, Banjou Ryuga."
The Cross-Z Dragon lands in Ryuga's palm, as he shakes the Dragon Bottle.
Inumuta taps at his phone, "Those Fullbottles. When I defeat you I'll definitely be taking my time analyzing them. Such tiny little things, yet they're capable of taking on Goku Uniforms and Kamui alike! Amazing how Katsuragi Takumi could create such ingenious things! I truly must see how much of that knowledge remains with him."
"Round 2… BEGIN!"
WAKE UP! CROSS-Z DRAGON!
"… For that, I'm gonna break your glasses." Banjou growls at the upperclassman, as the Cross-Z Ride Builder forms around him.
ARE YOU READY?
"HENSHIN!"
WAKE UP BURNING! GET CROSS-Z DRAGON! YAY!
"In that case…" Inumuta's collar closes, revealing three stars.
THREE STAR GOKU UNIFORM; PROBE REGALIA!
The light vanishes, revealing Inumuta, clad in a thin, skin-tight suit covered in keypads.
Cross-Z cracks his knuckles, "Probe Regalia, eh? Fine by me." His fists light on fire, "Now hold still!"
Inumuta's visor shows a red series of images of Cross-Z's battle path, with a wild haymaker aimed at the senior's face, "My, my. Such a simple method of attack-"
FWOOSH!
A wave of navy flame devours Inumuta's position, "EH?" He barely leaps away, his suit covered in burn marks, "A ranged attack? I had no data on this!"
Cross-Z flicks his wrist, the flames dissipating, "Of course ya didn't! I don't like ta do it because punching's easier!"
In the stands, Ryuko groans, "That muscle head…"
Senketsu chuckles, "Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black?"
"YOU WANNA BE LEFT OUT IN THE RAIN?"
Cross-Z ignores the noise coming from the stands, and returns his attention to Inumuta, "Bring it on."
Inumuta twitches, "Well, for your information, every time you attack me, I only gain that much more data on you. Every move you make brings me that much closer to victory!"
Cross-Z cricks his neck, "Fine by me. Learn all you want. It ain't gonna help you."
Inumuta side steps, only for Cross-Z to leap at his position, bringing his foot down in an axe kick, "TAKE THIS!" Rubble is tossed into the air, but no sign of the Intelligence Chairman, "Shit."
He looks around, only to see that the arena is empty, "The hell? Did I ring him out? Oi, call it Kiryuin! I won!"
WHUMP!
An impact makes Cross-Z double over, gripping his gut, "OOF!"
"What the hell?" Ryuko grips the seat, "What's going on? What happened to Banjou?"
"White butterflies land on the snow." Gamagoori utters dramatically, "This is… optic camouflage!"
Ryuko snarls, "He's invisible, huh? How's Banjou gonna beat that?"
Cross-Z rubs his sore stomach, "Playing dirty, eh?"
"I'm doing no different than Kiryu Sento attempted with Gamagoori. There's no point in taking someone like you on in a straight battle. So I'm, as he said, 'pulling the rug from under you'."
Cross-Z huffs, stomping his boot, "To hell with that!" His fists light on fire, and he tosses fireballs left and right, "GRAH! HYAH! ORYA!"
A haymaker impacts his left cheek, "GAH!" He swings his claws out, "GET BACK HERE! SHOW YOURSELF!" He roars and thrusts his fist out, a stream of fire bursting from his knuckles.
He feels an impact in his kidney, and tumbles aside, "URK!"
"Such a savage attack! But if this is all the data you're going to give to me, then there's no point, is there?" A kick slams into the Rider's torso, making him tumble back, "Fucker…"
CRACK!
Cross-Z turns on his heel, and sends a hook out, impacting Inumuta's jaw. The invisible upperclassman flies back, his camouflage flickering before coming back again, "How? My optic camouflage can't be mistaken!"
Cross-Z just shrugs, "I see. Truly, an incredible stroke of luck, Banjou Ryuga. However, it won't last you forever!"
"I know." That stops Houka in his tracks, "Hm? Admitting defeat?"
"No. But… I'm gonna win like Sento does… And figure out the winning formula!"
Inumuta taps away at his keyboards, "A bold statement! What gives you, an ignoramus using borrowed power, such an assumption?"
Cross-Z begins cranking his Driver, "Because right now I've got the feeling… THERE'S NO WAY I CAN LOSE!"
The Burning Dragon roars as the image of the flying serpent appears behind him.
READY, GO!
Inumuta prepares for Cross-Z to attack with the dragon, but instead he reaches out to the sky, and the dragon begins swirling around the arena, gathering speed as it does.
"HOOOOOAAAAAAAHH!" The Burning Dragon clenches his fist as his projection gathers speed, before shooting straight up above. He aims his fist, and the dragon takes a sharp dive towards its master.
DRACONIC FINISH!
His fist impacts the arena, and flame bursts high into the sky.
"WHOA!" Mako leans back in her seat, "It's so hot, I'm sweating all the way over here!"
"So that's his plan. If he can't see where Inumuta is, he'll hit everywhere at once." Senketsu chuckles, "Looks like punching things harder worked out for him after all."
The flames lessen, revealing Inumuta, coughing and sputtering as burn marks decorate his Regalia, "Eh? Aw, shit."
Cross-Z punches his own palm, "I gotcha now! I'm gonna- HRK!" He falls to one knee, sparks dancing on his chest place, "Ah… Shit."
Inumuta taps at his non-demolished keyboards, "I see. So that attack pushed you to your limit, eh? Well, I suppose with that I can defeat you-" CRACK!
A navy fist impacts with Inumuta's ribs, "GOTCHA BITCH!" The Chairman flies back, barely catching himself before he rings out, "That was close… How are you still standing?"
Cross-Z rolls his neck, audible popping drowning out the audience's murmurs, "I can take you on no matter what."
Inumuta taps at his keyboards, "We'll see about that."
His display shows Cross-Z's known schematics, 'My earlier attacks wore him down too much. He doesn't have any energy left. That punch was probably his last good one.'
Cross-Z charges forward, reaching out to his sides, "GRAH!"
BEAT CLOSER! BEAT BRAVER!
Cross-Z swings his blade straight down, causing the hacker to leap inside his guard. The Dragon shield bashes his foe, "WRONG MOVE!" Instantly, Inumuta vanishes, "Huh?"
"I took the liberty of adding some more combat-spec upgrades to my Probe Regalia." Multiple copies of the man appear around Cross-Z, "I knew that, should I have to fight someone like Blood Stalk or Night Rogue my current arsenal wouldn't have been enough. However, I'm more than confident my add-ons will be able to defeat you."
Two of the holograms leap out, causing Cross-Z to use his weapons against them. One passes through the sword, while the other bears weight, and leaps off of the shield, "There you are-" WHUNK! Immediately, a fist removes itself from Cross-Z's stomach, "Nope."
The holograms flicker, revealing floating drones, with multiple limbs jutting from them, "These are my Seeker Units. They help me to gather data, and now their weight and mass can help to give my holograms the illusion of being the real me."
The draconic Rider acts like his usual self, ignoring Inumuta's statements. He grips the pommel of his blade, "FUCK!" HIT PARADE! "YOU!" HIT PARADE! "BITCH!" HIT PARADE!
MEGA HIT!
Cross-Z spins on his heel, a spiral of fire bursting from the sword, "HIYAH!"
The Intelligence Chairman and his Seekers are knocked away by the sudden burst of heat, dissipating the illusions. Despite this, Inumuta appears as confident as before, "Hmph. More brute force? Are you truly going to-" CRUNCH!
Cross-Z slams his foot onto Inumuta's, and then slams his helmet against the Chairman's forehead.
The hacking genius crumbles toward the ground, "GAH!"
"SHUT THE FUCK UP AND FIGHT ALREADY!" Cross-Z uppercuts Inumuta in the gut before he collapses, the force elevating him off the ground. The Rider hooks him in the rib with his left, before delivering a straight into the sternum. He turns on one heel, before high kicking into Inumuta's stomach, propelling the Chairman away.
The Seeker Units, suddenly realizing that their master is being obliterated, move to protect him.
Cross-Z hurls a fireball at one in the back, before leaping onto one a few feet off the ground, kicking off of it to go after higher and higher units.
Inumuta sputters and coughs, trying and failing to catch his breath, "What is this force? Is his power raising even as we fight?"
Cross-Z leaps up, turning mid-air as he goes around one, and boots it straight at the arena.
Inumuta quickly realizes it's flying straight at his own head, and ducks. The Seeker detonates on impact. Cross-Z releases a stream of flame at the others, causing them to catch fire and crash like their initial comrade.
The Rider lands on the edge of the arena, as Inumuta drags himself backwards, "You… How did you best my Seekers so fast?"
Cross-Z shrugs, "It was… elementary."
Instantly, Inumuta's eyes widen, "You… You planned this?"
"I improvised a little, when you whooped out that invisibility shtick, but yeah. You're kinda a shit fighter, so you're easy to tag along."
Before the battle, Banjou took a deep breath, 'Alright, let's keep calm. First, before the fight begins, I'll stab his ego. Use my anger at Sento's condition as a pretext for shouting and screaming. Make him think I'm not in control.'
"Why do ya do something stupid like that anyway? Makes no sense. Are you one of those chuuni guys? You in an Anime Club or something? Wait, did we even fight an Anime Club?"
As the battle began, Banjou glowered under his helmet, 'Prove his data wrong. Show him what I've never done before, so it throws off his predictions.'
"Of course ya didn't! I don't like ta do it because punching's easier!"
As Banjou realized that Inumuta became invisible, he smirked, 'Invisibility is just bent light. But even a clear fish leaves ripples in a pond.'
Cross-Z shrugged, letting his arms distort the flames he left around the field.
As Banjou tumbled after his finisher, he smiled mercilessly under his helmet, 'Make a fake opening. Have the geek close in.'
"GOTCHA BITCH!"
As Inumuta revealed his Seekers, Banjou rolled his eyes, 'Of-fucking-course. Coward had to have more ways to dodge my shit. Well, not I gotta find a way to get rid of them. First, distract him while he's still showing off the toys.'
"FUCK! YOU! BITCH!"
As the machines dove to stop him, Ryuga's gaze was calculated, 'Take out the furthest one before it starts going around to switch out with him. Then move to the next highest one and fastball it, to keep him from getting his bearings.'
"What is this force? Is his power raising even as we fight?"
Inumuta's visor blinks various 'DANGER' signals as the draconic Rider grabs the Chairman by the collar.
"I surrender!" The Goku Uniform dissipates, as Houka raises his hands in defeat.
Cross-Z tilts his head, "Huh?"
Houka smugly grins at the Rider, "I see that I sorely underestimated you, Banjou Ryuga. I am also able to see that victory is yours. However, I refuse to allow my data to be damaged or lost."
CLACK!
"BANJOU RYUGA! Inumuta Houka has admitted defeat! Release him now!" Kiryuin shouts from her tower, glaring at the Rider.
Cross-Z shoots a glare at her, before turning back to Houka, closing his helmet in until it presses against the senior's face. A low, unearthly snarl comes from its mouthpiece.
"BANJOU RYUGA!"
Instantly, Houka drops to the arena floor, "YEAH, YEAH, I HEARD YA!" Cross-Z shouts over his shoulder, before returning his glare to the upperclassman.
Houka adjusts his Uniform, "Well, I suppose I'll get going now-" "Just a fucking second."
Houka turns pale, upon realizing that Banjou's still in his Rider form, placing one gloved hand into the other, "Before this match, I made a promise, didn't I?"
CRA-CRACK!
"Just for that, I'm gonna break yer glasses."
POP-POP!
Houka turns ghostly white, "L-Lady Satsuki, I surrendered, did I not?"
The Student Council President glowers, uninterested, "Yet you also made the grave error of referring to the identity of Kiryu Sento in so crass a manner. You only have yourself to blame for this."
Cross-Z pulls his hand to his waist, and slowly cranks the lever of his Driver, "Ya dun goofed."
READY, GO! DRACONIC FINISH!
"ORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORA-"
Cross-Z leans back, gathering fire over his fist, "ORA!"
"INUMUTA HOUKA RETIRES! The winner is Banjou Ryuga!"
2:30 PM, Mankanshoku Back-Alley Clinic
Barazo wipes his forehead, "Sheesh, if he hadn't told me about it before I wouldn't have believed it. Kid really can put himself back together. Almost all his ribs just started fusing, and his vertebrae just needed to be popped back into place. Hard part is all those torn ligaments, those'll keep him out of the game for a bit. But maybe that's for the best, kid needs to cool his heels…" He wanders out of the surgery room, as the amnesiac rolls around in his bed.
Creak~
"Well, there's no point in a game if all the players can't participate, huh? Enjoy your nap, bunny~ We'll play some more later~"
3:30 PM, Mankanshoku Back Alley Clinic
Sento's eyes snap open, and he sits up, gasping aloud.
"Whoa, whoa! Holy shit kid, how are you up right now?" Barazo grabs the young man's shoulders, "Lean back, lean back. You took a pretty hefty beating, kid. You're best off taking it easy."
Sento looks down at himself, "Taking it easy? I… I actually feel pretty fine, to be honest."
"That's probably the leftover anesthetic, kid. No way you can-" Sento gently raises a leg under the covers, mildly wincing, "It aches a little but it feels… alright, I guess."
Barazo grumbles, "Stupid teenage superheroes. Why can't I get that kinda good shit?" He marches out of the room, snarling and glaring at his pot belly.
Sento groans, rubbing his bruised limbs, "Damn, this smarts…" He turns and stares at the TV in Barazo's room, displaying the Honnouji Academy matches, "Oh, Ryuko's starting soon?"
2:00 PM, REVOCS Corporation
Ragyo swirls her wine in its glass, smiling bemusedly at the recording of Kamen Rider Cross-Z, "Such an interesting little toy. I do wonder if it's possible to combine such a magnifique power with COVERS. That would be an idea indubitably worth entertaining."
Hoomaru hands her a phone, "A call from Nui, Lady Ragyo."
"Yes, dear?"
"Hey~ Can I join in the fun? Can I, can I? I really wanna check out Ryuko's Kamui! It's so smooth and silky~" The Kiryuin matriarch lets her lips curl into a smirk, "Satsuki will have a fit about it, but I will allow it. Go ahead, Nui. Test out the limits of Matoi Isshin's creation. But, I would also like you to see what Katsuragi's 'Rider System' can do. Have fun, dear."
"So should I give Sen-chan some medicine?"
Ragyo takes a millisecond to register who her couturier is referring to, "… Of course. Let's make this as interessent as can be."
She sets the phone down, "So close. Soon, all of these meaningless facades shall be cast aside, and the true destiny of this world shall be revealed!"
Behind the office doors, Blood Stalk chuckles to himself, spinning his Transteam Gun on one finger.
"Lady, you have no idea how right you are."
3:00 PM, Unknown
"It's almost ready. And then... And then... They'll all know. The truth of all we have worked to create. The truth that shall upset the balance of power. The truth that shall humble the mighty, and strengthen the weak."
4:00 PM, Honnouji Academy Courtyard
Sento climbs his way through the stands, "Hey, Banjou!"
Ryuga gawks, "Sento? How're you still walking?" The genius sits down next to his comrade, "I guess my Hazard Level's risen enough that even that tub of lard's shit surgery was enough for me to heal. I watched the footage of your match. Very nice."
Banjou scratches the back of his neck, "Heh… thanks. I just thought of what you would do in that situation."
Sento pulls out his Build Phone, tapping away at some equations, "Of course, because otherwise your solution would be to 'punch it harder'."
"Hey fuck you!" The two glare, before devolving into immature giggles.
Gamagoori tries to ignore them, glaring up at the stage, "The third match has almost begun. Finally, that annoying stripping girl will be dealt with."
The two Riders turn to the upperclassman, giving him a hate-filled glare, "You wanna repeat that?" Both raise their Drivers at him, causing Ira to divert his gaze.
On the stage, Ryuko cricks her neck, "Yare yare dawa… I get to deal with you of all people? Geez, talk about a bad draw."
Across from her, Nonon snorts, "Don't act all high and mighty transfer student!"
Ryuko smirks, "At least I don't go around as a traitor!"
"You wanna repeat that?"
Ryuko slams her Scissor Blade into the platform, pointing to the senior, "Actually I do! You pretended to be on our side! You lied to us, made us think you were our friend! And for what, so you could stab us in the back and give your precious Lady Satsuki more ways to kill us?"
"Shaddap you twerp! You've been ruining Lady Satsuki's school since you first stepped foot on this campus!"
"This school was already ruined! You're just pissed me and the boys have been pointing it out to you! You and your whole horrible regime are going down, and I'm getting revenge for my dad!"
"How dare you speak like that to your betters? I'll show you!" Nonon's uniform shines, the three stars on her cap glowing. It bursts into musical notes, before reassembling on a sheet-type line and burning a pattern into plate armor. Twin thrusters shaped like tubas extend out of her back, while clarinet-like buttons decorate a skin-tight suit. Her baton extends into a glowing blade, while speakers orbit her.
THREE STAR GOKU UNIFORM; SYMPHONY REGALIA, MARK II!
Ryuko frowns, "You got an upgrade. Let me guess, it's got all our fighting data downloaded by the Goggles guy, doesn't it? Didn't Banjou show you guys that data's kinda useless with us?"
"Fuck you!"
"Right back at ya, short stack. Henshin!"
LIFE FIBER SYNCHRONIZE; KAMUI SENKETSU!
"Round 3… BEGIN!"
CUT!
What, you thought I'd give you two fights after a hiatus? Nah. I'm too evil and drunk for that.
So, minor update on my non-existent life; I turned 21 and I discovered Jack Daniel's is my new best friend.
I also discovered I'm a sleepy drunk. Thus I ended up sleeping when I would usually write.
However about two weeks ago my liver found its own spine and now I've managed to scrounge out what willpower I could to write some more. This is the result.
Hopefully I'll be a bit more regular from here on out. No promises.
Anyways, any comments? Complaints? Compliments? Condescending remarks?
Ciao~