Taki Gaiden: The Kunoichi Who Leapt Through Time - Book 02 Chapter 47: Finale: Farewell to the Stage of History, a Soul Calibur + Kamen Rider Crossover fanfic

DISCLAIMER: The following story is based on fanfiction.Kamen Rider Zi-O, and the Kamen Rider series in general are properties of TOEI, TV-Asahi, and Ishinomori Productions. Soul Calibur is property of Project Soul and Bandai Namco. The Witcher series is property of Andrezj Sapkowski and CD Projekt Red. Metroid, Samus Aran, and all likeness are properties of Nintendo. Ultraman Orb, and the Ultra Series in general are property of Tsuburaya Productions and TV-Tokyo.

Before reading this last chapter: It has been a sad week here in General Santos City after a massive magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck Mindanao. And to add insult to injury, a mall here in GenSan, GMall of Gensan, also known as Gaisano Mall was gutted by fire an hour after the quake. It took 16 hours to put out the flames. But, by 7pm, things went south as 80% of the establishment is smoldered in flames, but the flames were finally doused three hours later. My thoughts and prayers to those affected by the disaster...

Ep. 047: Epilogue: Farewell to the Stage of History [最終章 - さらば、歴史のステージ/Sai shūshō - Saraba, Rekishi no Sutēji] [Episode 127]

A.D. 2019
(2019年)

March 2019...

It's been five months after Taki departed from the present and returned to the World of Soulcalibur. The people in the Izumi household lived their peaceful and happy lives. While Natsu endures the life of finding happiness with her new friends in the present, she stays strong even without her master.

Anzu continues in her lifelong goal to venture as a gravure idol. Aizawa continues working odd jobs by day and undertaking his vigilante operations at night. Reiji continues working as Goro's secretary in I3 Tech. Goro himself continues foreseeing new developments to his company.

Ever since Taki's departure to the past, Goro felt the deep void lingering in his heart, and apparently he knew that Taki might no longer return and break her promise. Despite this, Goro knew that Taki, due to her passion to seek out and destroy Soul Edge, wants to keep those close to her from being enthralled by the cursed sword.

"Aniki, are you still thinking Taki-san?", asked Reiji.

"Yeah. Every day... It's been five months and I want to know what's she's been doing there.", Goro replied. "She promised when she will return to the future. But, I doubt that's no longer the case. Even if I have to travel back in time, I might risk messing up the space-time continuum."

"Are you sure she's not really coming back?! What about Natsu? She's supposed to be from their time."

"No. Taki said that her old timeline has been reset. Natsu's old friends most have likely erased from existence.", Goro continued. "It's heartbreaking that Natsu has lost her friends in her time before she and Taki are thrown 400 years into the present. Taki asked me to look after Natsu, since she now has friends in school. I'm fine with Natsu pursuing her own happiness. While Taki needs to do what she must. I know it has been already five months she left. I still can't bring myself to say to her that her master won't come back."

Goro saying that Taki might no longer return to the present might be too much to bear, but he's right. Because it was her decision to return back to the past and restart her journey back in her time. And it would be impossible for her to travel 400 years into the future, let alone asking the sorcerer Zasalamel.

"Before Taki left... I wanted to say something to her. But, I couldn't bring myself to do so.", Goro brought up about he was supposed to say to the ninja before she left. "I want to get this off my chest and move on. But, I don't know how. Taki and I have been a good relationship since she lived in the house with me and my sis. And now I had the feeling knowing she might not come back, might as well call it quits then..."

Goro recalls the fruitful days of his relationship with Taki from friends to couple, and how it gave meaning to his life as Taki's influence to him made him a decent and mature person as he learned to keep his ego in check.

The two partners' conversation is interrupted the office door is knocked. Reiji answers the door, only for a mysterious man with a familiar prehensile scarf and regal-like outfit holding two books appearing before Goro.

"Who are you?", asked Goro.

"My name is Woz. I am the herald to the demon king of time from the future, Ohma Zi-O.", Woz introduces himself, as in the same Woz who remained loyal to the king of time. Even though Goro doesn't yet knew of the timeline's reset. "You must be Taki's significant other, Izumi Goro... Kamen Rider G7 Icarus XYZ."

"Yeah... And how did you know?", Goro asked, skeptical of Woz's knowledge.

Woz then presents to Goro the second book he carried aside from the Ohma Advent Calendar (逢魔降臨暦). The Ohma Advent Calendar tells the story of a young man named Tokiwa Sougo and his destiny to become the demon king of time, Ohma Zi-O. The other book reads "Taki Gaiden: The Kunoichi Who Leapt Through Time" (タキ外伝：時をかけるくノ一), as the name of the book suggests; it chronicles Taki's adventures in both the past and present in her quest to destroy Soul Edge.

"Taki... Gaiden...?", Goro looked at the new book. "You wrote about Taki... I-I don't get it?"

Goro had a hard time understanding Woz at first, that is until Woz has to thoroughly tell him everything about Ohma Zi-O, the previous timeline before the reset, and Taki becoming a Kamen Rider to name a few. Goro isn't aware that Taki actually had a belt and a Miridewatch. Apparently, in the previous timeline, Taki only had three Ridewatches (G7 Icarus, G7 Type-S, and Huntress watches) and the Galaxy Riser to use them to suit up into the Galaxy Armor. However, in their place in this new timeline, was her Beyondriver and Taki Miridewatch.

"So you're saying that Taki fixed the old, busted up timeline when the world nearly ended?", Goro asked.

"Yes. She did with my demon king, Ohma Zi-O. Unfortunately, Ohma Zi-O made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure Taki does return both Soul Edge and Soul Calibur to their respective timeline."

"So that means...?"

"She has restored the balance of history.", Woz continued. "I assumed she returned back to the past to see she succeeded in saving her world's timeline."

Despite Goro is stunned upon reading every content of Woz's new book. He is still sad the fact that Taki will no longer return to the present. However, Woz turns the book's page even further, that there is still hope.

"According to this book... Taki will stay in 2019, once she has her closure with her master and foster father, Toki.", said Woz.

"No way... How is that possible?", Goro raised an eyebrow. "She can't come back to 2019 from the past without the means to travel back in time. Let alone that Zasalamel guy."

"And you are the only ones who can make it possible, Goro-kun."

And how everything is written in the Ohma Advent Calendar coming to pass as far as Sougo's journey to kingship is concerned, the same can be said with the Taki Gaiden book. The final pages of the book see that Taki will still remain in the present for she has friends to love and support for.

"Build a Time Mazine."

Woz recommends the CEO to turn his time machine into a transformable mecha, the same ones Zi-O used. And for that, Goro is going to need the help of a fellow superficial genius...

At an abandoned warehouse converted into a residence, Kiryu Sento and Banjou Ryuuga took residence ever since the fusion of Build's world and the Kamen Riders' main universes. Goro visits the warehouse as Sento opens the door.

"Izumi-san?"

"Long time no see, old friend. I think I need your help."

Goro is not the only visitor here. But also Katsuragi Takumi, now a separate person from Sento. Apparently, Sento and co had been recovering following the Killbus incident; where the people from the old world who were exposed to Nebula Gas regained their memories. Katsuragi, both Takumi and Shinobu regained theirs recently.

Goro told to his long-time ally about his currently-incomplete time machine that he needs to finish. Sento is willing to help, while Takumi warns Goro that a time machine must be used carefully if he doesn't want to risk damaging the space-time continuum. Either way, Takumi decided to help.

Once the three geniuses enter the Izumi mansion's underground laboratory, Goro discovers something on his desk. It is revealed to be a belt and a pocketwatch device - the Beyondriver and Taki Miridewatch. Taki must have left behind her Driver and Miridewatch in order to restart her journey in the past. In addition to that, Goro decides to bring both the Driver and watch back to Taki so her world will have its own Kamen Rider.

Thinking of Woz's suggestion and the neon pink coloration of Taki's Miridewatch, Goro decides to turn his time machine into a transforming mecha. So, he, Sento, and Katsuragi put their best efforts to build the Time Mazine.

Two weeks later...

It took two weeks to complete this hulking machine. Goro thanked Sento and Takumi for the help. Now, Goro has to travel back to the 16th century to find Taki.

This Time Mazine is the same ones Taki used in the previous timeline - the machine is entirely in neon pink colors with cyan accents to match the colors of Kamen Rider Taki Genesis Type.

Once inside the cockpit of the Time Mazine with Sento and Ryuuga, Goro completed all preparations with Takumi warning Goro of the risks of changing the past.

"Are you sure about this, Goro-kun? You must be careful not to carelessly mess with time.", Takumi said. "Even the slightest mistake can affect the future, and the consequences can be disastrous."

"I know all the restrictions with time travel. And thanks for the heads-up.", said Goro as he sets the destination to 1589, according to what was written on Woz's other book detailing Taki's memoirs.

Goro took a deep breath, keeping his focus on his mission to find Taki. He brought with him the Beyondriver and the Taki Miridewatch as well. His objective is to ask if Taki is going to remain there in her time (where he will tell everything how he feels about her before letting her go for good) or stay in the future.

"Izumi-san? Something wrong?", asked Sento.

"You've been like that for the past days man.", Banjou added.

To which Goro replied. "Don't worry about it. I'm just having goosebumps. That's why."

With the Time Mazine now in its vehicle mode, the cockpit is closed as Goro sets the destination to 1589. With Sento and Ryuuga behind him, Goro's hands firmly grasped on the controls as he prepares to take off.

"Temporal displacement system, activate!"

*Time Mazine!*

The Time Mazine takes off as it enters through a time portal that spawned in the sky, as Goro, Sento, and Banjou head for the 16th century.

A.D. 1589
(1589年)

(*BGM: "Cursed Image" OST from Soulcalibur & Soulcalibur III*)

Now that Taki can exist both in the past and future, she restarts her journey without interfering with other people's time. The Soulcalibur universe is better off without any interference from time travelers since she managed to reset both this and the Kamen Riders' timelines. It's been already four years that she rekindled her objective, and she apparently looks younger than she look as if she aged backwards by the time she returned back to her time.

With the World of Soulcalibur's timeline fixed, the positive effects of the time paradox caused before the reset have already been taken away. With Astaroth's existence intact, Maxi's crew remain dead by his hand, Maxi himself is mortally wounded after he got his revenge. Siegfried still remains Nightmare during his struggles, Voldo continues to seek out Soul Edge to appease his late master, and many more.

Though having rekindled her objective to seek out and destroy Soul Edge, it turned out that someone else already beat her to it. It was the staff-wielding monk named Kilik, along with his traveling companion Xianghua, where they were able to beat the Azure Knight. Though Nightmare was already defeated, there were rumors that the evil knight has resurfaced.

Taki decided to forego seeking out the Azure Knight, and has the feeling that someone else will come and slay the dark knight. For now, she decided to find Toki and settle the matter with her once master and foster father.

(*cues: "Over "Quartzer"" by Shuta Sueyoshi feat. ISSA from Kamen Rider Zi-O*)

Taki returned to Japan, and made her way into the Hoko-ji Temple. On the temple's entrance, her master Toki was waiting for her there. And a confrontation ensued between master and student.

[~Oh yeah...~]
[~Ohhh...~]

"Welcome home, my dear Taki…", the old man spoke in an affable and casual tone. "You have quite grown since the last time you left along with Mekki-Maru."

[~Isshun de tsukami-toru no sa Are you ready?~](Catch it in an instant! Are you ready?)
[~Are you lazy?~]
[~Atarashii rekishi wa soko ni Feel it! Feel it!~](That's where the new history is! Feel it! Feel it!)
[~Crazy baby!~]

"I could say the same thing.", Taki replied bitterly, and could not bear that Toki is no longer the same person who raised her.. "Tell me, why have you been seeking after Soul Edge? You do not know how many souls were absorbed by the cursed sword?!"

[~Hikari wo kate ni kasoku shite~](Use your bonds of light to accelerate)
[~Kono mama Shout it out! Shout it out!~](Just keep at it! Shout it out! Shout it out!)
[~Ima wo susumeyou~](Let's keep going in the present)

"It was then I have learned from Geki that Mekki-Maru is drawn to the presence of Soul Edge thanks to the shard of the cursed sword that you have imbued with it.", Toki continued. "Now... Show it to me that how you have mastered that blade!"

[~Madou hi mo ikudotonaku asu no tobira tatake~](There will be confusing days, but knock on the door to tomorrow)

All of the sudden, Toki underwent a demonic transformation right in front of Taki. As it turns out, Toki had willingly absorbed the demon Gel-o-Fury into himself, driving the ninja master into further insanity.

[~Mitsumeta sono saki ni tobikonde mitara Believe yourself!~](Just plunge into what's ahead of you! Believe yourself!)

"Why hesitate?", asked Toki, as pure madness already flaring in my eyes. "Do you really think that you can't bring yourself to kill your own kin? And now, I have the power of Gel-O-Fury inside my body, you won't stand a chance against me!"

[~Now, Over "Quartzer"!~]
[~Toki no ame suri-nukete tomo ni~](Let's slip through the torrents of time together)
[~You, Over "Quartzer"!~]
[~Mirai wo koeyou~](Let's cross over to the future)

Toki's smile faded in a drop of a hat, and his expression turned to a grimace as he took out his sword from the bamboo scabbard on his side.

[~Kako no ishi wa uso de wa azamukenai~](Lies can not fool the will of the past)
[~Kanjiro sou Nexus Future~](Feel it in your bones! The Nexus Future)

He lunged at Taki, who defected his blow with her own blade, followed by backflipping away from him, kicking Toki in the jaw in the process.

[~Now, Over "Quartzer"!~]
[~Mabayui sekai... Misete!~](That dazzling world... Enchant me!)

Toki ran his hand across his jaw a few times and spat drops of blood. He snarled, and once again charged at his former student. He thrust his sword at her, leaving a small gash in her side. She clutched the wound with one hand, and a mad swipe at Toki with another. He quickly scooted back, narrowly avoiding Taki's blade.

[~Keiken ga toi-kakete iru Are you "Breaker"?~](Your experiences ask Are you "Breaker"?)
[~Are you Brighter?~]
[~Utagau hima ga nai hodo ni Beat it! Beat it!~](You don't have a moment to doubt it. Beat it! Beat it!)
[~Drivin' baby!~]

She regained her balance, and made a dash towards the old man. He grabbed her by the throat, and his other hand went for her abdomen. He managed to lift her up, and throw her into the darkness that engulfed the inner shrine.

[~Kodoku nante hitori yogari sa~](Feeling lonely is self-conceit)
[~Kono mama Shoot it out! Shoot it out!~](Just keep at it! Shoot it out! Shoot it out!)
[~Negai kakageyou~](Raise up your wishes!)

Toki nearly dominates the fight. Taki, in a battle damaged state, her body is full of almost every wound from top to bottom is nearly in the verge of running out of energy.

[~Seikai wa hiotsu ja nai yamiyo ni mimi sumase~](There's more than one correct answer. Listen closely to the dark night)

Toki's laughter echoed around the battlefield, giving a scary feeling in that even Geiz is unnerved by the old man while being transformed into a demon.

[~Mitsuketa sono kodou hibikasete mitara Believe yourself!~](JTry letting the vibe you find shake you Believe yourself!)

"Poor Taki. If only you had done as you were told", he mocked. "If you had killed Hachibei and brought back Mekki-Maru, you could be-". Before Toki could deal the death blow to his former student, Toki gets pulverized by an explosion, coming from an energy blast from afar.

[~Now, Over "Quartzer"!~]
[~Toki no sora kaki-wakete tomo ni~](Let's push through the skies of time together)
[~You, Over "Quartzer"!~]
[~Yoake wo tsugeyou~](Announce the coming of dawn)

As Taki looked into the sky, the neon-pink Time Mazine emerged from a time portal opened in the sky.

[~Dare no tame ka Nan no tame no yume ka~](Lies can not fool the will of the past)
[~Michibike saa Nexus Future~](Guide me The Nexus Future)

The machine landed near Taki's position, when the cockpit opens, Sento, Goro, and Banjou appear as Goro tosses to her the Beyondriver and her Taki Miridewatch.

[~Now, Over "Quartzer"!~]
[~Arata na sekai... Egake!~](A new world is coming... Picture it!)

"Goro... How did you?", Taki shook her head.

[~Tatoe tooku hanarete ite mo deau hazu sa~](Even if we're far apart we're sure to meet)

"Say no more. Do what you need to do now.", Goro replied.

Toki is flabbergasted at the sight of Taki and her allies from the future. Taki brings up that she has been lost in time and desperately trying to find a way to return to her home. But, the world she once knew is gone. Even though she restored the balance of history, there's nothing she can do about it, with the only person beside her thrown into the future was her student Natsu.

[~Kasaneta sono itami kizanda chikai to~](With our oaths forged through repeated suffering)

"What is the meaning of this?", said Toki.

"I found myself lost in time. But when I returned, the world I once knew is gone.", Taki spoke to her master. "And there's nothing I can do about it, let alone reset the balance of history. But, what I learned from the people I've met 400 years in the future... I know what it's like to wield a power that is meant to be used for evil, but to be used for good! That's what being a Kamen Rider is about!"

[~Hoshi ou kiseki to hatenaki tabiji de~](Follow the shooting star's trail on an endless journey)

Taki prepares to show her former master the hidden power she possesses. It's power is more than just Mekki-Maru itself. The ninja then dons the Beyondriver...

*Taki!*

...after the Taki Miridewatch is activated, the Miridewatch is docked into her Beyondriver.

[~Now, Over "Quartzer"!~]
[~Toki no ame suri-nukete tomo ni~](Let's slip through the torrents of time together)

*Action!*

After opening the Miridewatch, a pink smartwatch screen appear behind Taki's back and a timer that reads "20:01:11:09", when these numbers converted into letters, it spells out "T-A-K-I".

[~You, Over "Quartzer"!~]
[~Mirai wo koeyou~](Let's cross over to the future)

"Henshin!"

Taki closes the Beyondriver to transform.

*Touei! Future Time! Fuma Kanryou! Sousei! Kakumei! Kamen Rider Taki! Taki!*

Taki suits up into Kamen Rider Taki Genesis Type as her pink shoulder and chest armor materializes after her bodysuit and shin and foot armor thanks to the neon magenta rings surrounding her. The transformation sequence ends with the hiragana for "Rider" (らいだー) branded into her visor.

[~Kako no ishi wa uso de wa azamukenai~](Lies can not fool the will of the past)
[~Kanjiro sou Nexus Future~](Feel it in your bones! The Nexus Future)

"I am Taki. Kamen Rider... Taki!"

Nearby, Woz appears out of nowhere, he opens the Taki Gaiden book and makes his usual proclamation speech. Normally, he does these speeches when it concerns Zi-O. But, ever since Sougo requested to the prophet to give Taki these speeches, Woz willingly obliged. And so, his voice echoes around the scene.

[~Now, Over "Quartzer"!~]
[~Mabayui sekai... Misete!~](That dazzling world... Enchant me!)

"Rejoice! She is the symbol of all female Kamen Riders, transcending history and the world! Behold, the Alpha and the Omega; and her name is Kamen Rider Taki! This is the moment we bear witness to the birth of a new legend!"

More appropriately, Taki's name means "to rejoice". So, Woz takes the opportunity to celebrate her return as a Kamen Rider.

[~Saikō no ichibyō made mo (Now, Over "Quartzer"!)~] (Dash as fast as possible (Now, Over "Quartzer"!))

Kamen Rider Taki resumes her fight against Toki. The battle suddenly turns into a one-sided beatdown as she gains even more power boost in Rider form than her Soul Charged state outside of the suit. Even in Rider form, Taki still continues to use both Rekki-Maru and Mekki-Maru.

[~Saidai no kasoku kakero (Over "Quartzer"!)~] (Until the last second (Over "Quartzer"!))

"Eat THIS!", yelled Taki as she is about to thrust Mekki-Maru unto Toki.

To which Toki counters, "NNEEEVEEERRRR!"

[~Saegiru subete o koete!~] (Go beyond all obstacles!)

Blades clang continuously as Taki pushes herself to the limit with every strength she's got to overpower Toki.

[~Yes, my lord... Yes, my lord...~]
[~Yes, my lord... Yes, my lord...~]

Toki stood up again, but this time, Gel-O-Fury takes over his body. "I've just have enough of you!", he screamed as Gel-O-Fury takes over of him completely, as he draws more power from the demon.

[~You're my king!~]

However, more reinforcements come to Taki's aid as a familiar voice is drawing closer.

(*BGM: "The Cursed Image" OST from Soulcalibur & Soulcalibur III (x2)*)

"Hey! I hope you've been doing well for yourself lately!", a dragon from the sky starts revealing itself, or in this case himself.

"It can't be Gurenryu?!", Taki learns that she and Woz are not the only ones to have remembered the events of the previous timeline.

The Infinite Emperor Dragon transforms into his humanoid form as he tosses to her the Mugenryu Miridewatch.

"Say, how about we combine and send this shit-head back where he came from, for old times' sake?", said Gurenryu, having missed his former master ever since the timeline reset.

Either way, Taki decides to defeat Toki with her final form as she equips the Mugenryu Miridewatch into her Beyondriver.

*Mugen Time! [...] Mugenryu Taki!*

Gurenryu disassembles itself to fuse with Taki, with the fusion sequence ending with the hiragana for "Mugenryu" (むげんりゅうー) branded onto her visor. The fusion of an all-powerful ancient dragon and a demon-slaying ninja make up a recipe for killing demons in the most brutal way possible. Even the name "Mugenryu" (which obviously means "infinite dragon") can make anyone run away in fear.

Mugenryu Taki and Toki's battle intensified, with Toki getting the short end of the stick as Taki proceeds to aim her shoulder-mounted cannons and hip-mounted railguns at the Gel-O-Fury possessed Toki, pulling out the Mugenryuken in Dragon Calibur. With Taki in control of the fight. Toki comes to realize that his adoptive daughter and student have truly grown into a fine shinobi.

Taki swings the Mugenryuken at Toki, sending him floating in midair. She then flew up high as she opens and then closes the Beyondriver's lever...

*Infinite Beyond the Time: Infinity X-Supernova!*

Gurenryu separates himself from Taki as the latter rides on her back. Within moments as Taki jumps again, all of the Kamen Riders' dragon-themed mecha/support units manifest behind her in no particular order: those are WizarDragon, Castle Doran, Dragredder, Hunter Gamer, and DenLiner Ikazuchi as part of her finisher.

Gurenryu then launches Taki out of his back as she positions herself in her Rider Kick pose as she dives to score the death blow on Toki.

The soles in Taki's shoes that has the hiragana for "kick" (きっく) engraved glow in neon pink as she descends her kick hits Toki. The impact of her Rider Kick is equal to the force of a ballistic missile's payload, powerful enough to send the demonic ninja master flying.

Gurenryu then sucks Gel-O-Fury out of Toki's body. And to Taki's surprise, it's revealed that Gurenryu can devour evil spirits, as in eat them so to speak. Taki then removes her helmet and rushes to the dying Toki.

She heard a weak voice coming out from Toki's mouth.

"Taki, is that you...? It's dark here...", a dying Toki spoke.

Taki didn't see any insanity in him when he said these words. Luckily, if it weren't for Gurenryu, Gel-O-Fury would have run amok had it remained on Toki's body. However, Taki decided if Toki should rest easy and kill him out of mercy.

"Taki... You've truly changed ever since you've left the clan..", Toki spoke his final breath before dying peacefully and finally giving Taki her longed closure.

"I...haven't.", a tearful Taki answered.

Goro took out a handkerchief from his pocket and gives it to Taki to wipe her tears. Then Taki reveals everything about her relationship with Toki.

"When I was still a child, I've lost my parents and sibling when they died of an unknown sickness. Not long after, an old man took me in and I became a part of a clan of ninjas who fought demons. And that man was, Toki. As I grew up, I was trained to the ways of ninja and demon sealing, all the while I was blessed with supernatural powers of my own."

Later, Taki returns to the Fu-Ma clan's village, alongside her are her allies from the future (Sento, Banjou, and Goro). A member from the Urabe faction reveals that she is exonerated from the crime of a renegade ninja; which is the good news. The bad news is that the clan lost a leader, and they asked Taki to lead the clan. However, Taki has something in mind. When Shuki, the leader of the Urabe faction offers her a place to lead the clan; Taki's response...

"I love to take over master Toki's place. But, I will decline the offer.", Taki answered. "I've been lost in the future for the past two years, and it's a long story short. While I was still in the future, I made many allies and helped me find a way back to this era, even though it's different than I once came from. Though Soul Edge was destroyed by someone else, my duty is now complete."

"I see... So that means are you returning back to the future?", asked Shuki.

"Yes. But rest assure I will return. For now, I am entrusting Chie to lead the clan. Since she and her father Hachibei are cleared from their crimes now that Toki is gone."

Taki chooses to return and stay in the future, and like before she left her friends back in 2018; promises to return at a given time. The whole clan respected Taki's decision now that the threat of Soul Edge has been subdued for the time being.

But before leaving, Goro has something to say to Taki.

"Taki... I..."

"I'm sorry, Goro. I nearly broke my promise... I don't know how I can make it up to you."

"That's okay. I still can't stop thinking about you. So, I worked hard to finish this thing to find you.", Goro replied bashfully, while going through his psychological barriers that made him unable to spit out his feelings. Then, he pulls out the book given to him by Woz that details all of Taki's ordeal. The book itself looks similar to the Ohma Advent Calendar, but with few differences.

"I see. Woz must have recorded my progress through this book..."

But, when Taki opens the book, there's also a engagement ring hidden. Goro had this ring hidden in the book as he finally takes the chance to propose to her. Goro then finally confesses his love to her...

"Taki... Ever since you ended up in the future and lived in our home, I know what its like to find humility and truly love and care for you and everyone I care about. You are truly a feisty and an indomitable kind of woman; that's what I love about you. After I read everything about you from that book, you are more than something... You are a woman who knows how to make the impossible possible. So, I kneel before you and I wanted to say this that... I love you...to infinity and beyond! And will you...marry me?"

Taki was shocked and a the same time touched by Goro's declaration of love and proposing to her. This drives Taki to tears of joy as a new chapter in her life is set to unfold.

"I don't know what to say, Goro. But, I'm so happy... And yes, I will marry you."

The entire clan finally gave a round of applause as Taki made it clear she wants to establish her own legacy into the future. And that first step is to start a family once she returns back to 2019. Likewise, Sento and Banjou clapped.

"I envy Izumi-san... He's such a lucky bastard.", said Sento.

"Envy my ass... You're too nerdy to find a girlfriend!", Banjou quipped.

"Zip it, musclehead."

And so after a long emotional rollercoaster, Taki, Goro, Sento, and Ryuuga board on the Time Mazine as they return back to the future.

A.D. 2019
(2019年)

Meanwhile in the present, Anzu, Reiji, Natsu, and Aizawa await for Taki. Within moments, the Time Mazine emerges from a portal. Once the mecha makes a safe landing at an open space, Taki, Sento, Goro, and Banjou emerge from the cockpit, then comes an emotional reunion with Natsu and Taki.

"Master! I thought you might not come back... I'm still worried about you."

"You don't have to. And I kept my word.", Taki smiled at her pupil. "The past is in better hands as long as there's someone who is brave enough to destroy the cursed sword."

With it's all said and done, Taki can once again enjoy her life anew in the present day. With the World of Soulcalibur in good hands as long as the balance between good and evil is present in the form of Soul Edge and Soul Calibur, and those who have the courage to oppose the demonic sword.

A few days later, Taki decided to seal away the Time Mazine underground, along with her Beyondriver and Taki Miridewatch. Gurenryu continued wandering across time after reuniting with Taki. Kurenai Gai, aka Ultraman Orb, returned back to his home world sometime after the timeline reset, and apparently it's unknown if he's unaffected by it.

However, inside the Time Mazine's cockpit also had an unfamiliar Ridewatch left in there. This Ridewatch apparently has the neon yellow colors and the face of Kamen Rider Zero-One...

October 2019, Seven months later...

(*Ending: "Over "Quartzer" (TV version)" by Shuta Sueyoshi of AAA feat. ISSA of DA PUMP from Kamen Rider Zi-O*)

Taki and Goro finally tie up the knot, as a wedding held for them, attended by Team Taki and Team Build members; including Kazumin, his Hokuto trio, Gentoku and Sawa. Apparently, Sougo and his friends are also present, as they were most likely invited to the wedding by Natsu per Taki's approval.

[~Oh yeah...~]
[~Ohhh...~]

"I pronounce you, man and wife. You may now kiss the bride.", the priest concludes the wedding as Taki and Goro, the newlywed couple finally kiss.

[~Isshun de tsukami-toru no sa Are you ready?~](Catch it in an instant! Are you ready?)
[~Are you lazy?~]

At the wedding's recession, as the newlywed couple walk down the aisle on the way outside of the church with everyone attending look on giving the couple an applause.

[~Atarashii rekishi wa soko ni Feel it! Feel it!~](That's where the new history is! Feel it! Feel it!)
[~Crazy baby!~]

Taki then proceeds to throw the bouquet, with bridesmaids Anzu and Sawa trying to catch the bouquet for themselves. However, they fail spectacularly as the bouquet is instead caught by Sougo of all people!

Sougo's friends - namely Geiz, Tsukuyomi/Alpina, Heure, and Ora garnered a spectacle of shocking reactions when they see him catching the bouquet.

[~Madou hi mo ikudotonaku asu no tobira tatake~](There will be confusing days, but knock on the door to tomorrow)
[~Mitsumeta sono saki ni tobikonde mitara Believe yourself!~](Just plunge into what's ahead of you! Believe yourself!)

"Are you kidding me?! You're still 19 years old to think of getting married!", exclaimed Geiz.

[~Now, Over "Quartzer"!~]
[~Toki no ame suri-nukete tomo ni~](Let's slip through the torrents of time together)

"It's still normal for guys to end up catching the bouquet.", Alpina added.

"Now that's a lucky catch.", Heure snickered.

[~You, Over "Quartzer"!~]
[~Mirai wo koeyou~](Let's cross over to the future)

Followed by Ora, "I say it's a good news. But, the bad news is, you're going to wait for the next three years to find your bride."

"I know.", Sougo smiled as he is lucky to catch the bouquet. "I got the feeling that I can find my future queen soon."

[~Kako no ishi wa uso de wa azamukenai~](Lies can not fool the will of the past)
[~Kanjiro sou Nexus Future~](Feel it in your bones! The Nexus Future)

Even Kadoya Tsukasa himself is present in the wedding, distancing himself from everyone attending, all while taking a picture of Taki and Goro in his signature camera; something to remember in his journey to Taki's world.

From afar, with Woz happily to witness Sougo having caught the bouquet thrown by Taki with the possibility for the aspiring king to find his future queen, he proudly proclaims "Rejoice to the newlyweds!" as the story draws to a close.

[~Now, Over "Quartzer"!~]
[~Mabayui sekai... Misete!~](That dazzling world... Enchant me!)

"The Legend will never die..."

Author's Note:

Despite the delays, I decided to have the last two chapters published altogether to commemorate the first anniversary of Soulcalibur VI's release; despite that it's already been a day after SCVI's 1st anniversary. The game is already one year old after it's release on October 19, 2018.

The story's final scene is the inverse of Captain America's sendoff in Avengers: Endgame. Taki decides to stay in the future once she achieves her closure with Toki, and finally marrying Goro.

It turns out that Taki's exploits throughout the story were written into a book by Woz himself. This is similar to Kamen Rider Build's finale where Sento wrote memoirs of his adventures as a Kamen Rider in the merged world and plans to have it adapted into a 49-episode show. The book Woz wrote is of course, is named after this story.

Taki's final fight against Toki in the post-reset timeline is a call back from Book 1 chapter 19. The only main difference that here, Taki defeats her master as a Kamen Rider. Over "Quartzer" even plays during the battle.

Now that Taki Gaiden has drawn to a close. I am still working on with my next series tied to Zero-One. I will take a long break from writing and do the next project by November.

Special thanks to: Destonus, hyperomegasonic26, taisenrider2012/BestMatchBuild, Shaman-aka-King (Shamanisheee from Kamen Rider Wiki), and CometComics from DeviantArt for his KR flash belts.