GT: *wearing a Sherlock Holmes outfit* Greetings. We are on the lookout for an imposter amongst us.

SZ: Aye...question is who?

Z0: *pumps shotgun* Okay...I'm just gonna shoot you both, if SZ panics its him, if GT just poofs from existence its him. If there is a corpse...its you.

GT: Hold it. How do we know it's not you who is the imposter?

Z0: *opens chest plate to reveal a blackhole for a heart* I'm pretty sure only I have this for a ticker...I can also list off all the many...many complaints both of you have listed to me about your respective families *rolls out a scroll like list which goes around the world twice*

GT: Oi vey...Well, folks, while SZ and I get shot, might as well do disclaimers. We do not own Kamen Rider nor Danganronpa. They are owned by their respective owners. Now...shoot SZ first! Shoot him first!

Z0: *arches eyebrow before shooting GT in the face*

GT: …*falls over, revealing it to be a cardboard cutout*

Z0: Well guess its you SZ…*aims at him* Any last words if you is or isn't? Cause...I'm a still shoot probably.

SZ: Yeah...I ain't here…*blips out like a hologram*

Z0: Hmm….if none of them are fake...and I ain't fake...who's the fake *a dead body falls out of the closet* Oh...I wondered who I shot before I got my daily coffee...whoops...the fake was already dead. Let this be a lesson Readers...never bother this co-writer before he has his coffee...cause I can be a lot worse. *shoots the screen*

Snow fell upon Fuuto. The winter had come and the windy city had whipped up another harsh cold. The people of Fuuto all kept nice and warm in their homes, but for a certain detective agency, the warmth of the office was only fleeting between cases.

Shotaro whistled a famous holiday tune as he fit a white Fedora atop his head. However...today he did not wear his three piece suit, instead he was clad in a...highschool uniform. He grinned, striking a few poses in the mirror, none the wiser to the front door opening. The man walked up and suddenly took the hat off his head.

"Ah!" Shotaro gawked returning to his senses, "What are you doing, Boss?" he complained as a much older man, clad in a black winter coat and fedora, sprinkled with snow from outside stood before him.

"Don't I always tell you, Shotaro?" he sighed, swinging his hand and tossing the fedora across the room and onto a hat rack behind the main desk, "You're still just half boiled...you're not ready for a hat yet." he smirked, "The Fedora is the badge of this detective agency…"

"There's nothing wrong with me imitating you," Shotaro complained, walking past him.

"It's not okay..." Sokichi sighed, removing his fedora, "Hiding the coldness...and the kindness in a man's eyes is this guy's job." he spoke, referring to his fedora as he dusted the snow off it. He turned to Shotaro with a small smirk, "You don't have either yet." he spoke, tossing his hat again, making Shotaro duck as it landed perfectly on the hook.

"Whoa…" Shotaro awed.

"Don't wear it 'till I acknowledge you," Sokichi added as he moved to his desk while taking off his coat, "Don't like it, then get out." he finished as he sat down, "Get it?"

"I get it…" Shotaro sighed. He then turned around, "Anyway, you know what day it is right?"

"...heh…" Sokichi smirked as he leaned forward a bit...before speaking in a multitude of voices, "Merry Christmas!"

"Huh?" Shotaro blinked in confusion, that wasn't right, wait… what was going on? Why was the Boss here...he was...he was…

"Wake up already!"

"Time for the slipper!" Akiko shouted, holding up her green slipper as the kanji changed to read 'Happy Holidays!' before she smacked a sleeping Shotaro upside the head.

"Snrk?!" Shotaro snorted as he shot up, rubbing his eyes a bit, "Ugh….hah?! Akiko?!"

"No. It's Jack Frost," Akiko sarcastically replied.

"Really? Because I thought that'd be Kyoko when she wants to be alone," Hina noted, nibbling on a donut shaped like a reindeer's head.

"Boss…" Shotaro looked at 'his' desk, "It was just a dream…" he realized, "Just...a dream."

"...Were you having a dream about dad returning?" Akiko asked as she walked off.

"...Just a dream…" Shotaro whispered.

"No time for sleeping~! You have an appointment!"

"Santa!" Hina beamed as Santa-chan ran into the room.

"This is quite serious, Shotaro," Santa-chan noted...before holding up a flyer for ordering fried chicken from KFC, "Now do you prefer breasts or legs?"

"I guess…"

"Breast!" Watcherman shouted, running up to Shotaro, several of the other men joining him in his chanting, which was making this almost awkward if one didn't remember they were talking about their fried chicken order.

"Ugh...can you please not chant that?" Byakuya groaned, sitting on the couch as he put his book down, "The fact I'm taking part of this holiday is already insufferable enough."

"D-Do you have to chant about that?" Toko muttered, writing something in a blank book, 'Seems Master prefers legs...'

"You agree with us right, Sho-chan? Breast all the way!" Watcherman and the guys smirked.

"Ah, either is fine!" Shotaro complained, not wanting to be part of this.

"Traitor…" they all pouted.

"For shame, sir!" Hifumi shouted, "Did you forget the sacred oath!?"

"I didn't take no oath…" Shotaro replied as he used his hat to bop Hifumi without doing any real harm.

"Ashi...is leg..." Santa began as he lifted one foot up onto a coffee table to point at his very clean shaven leg, "Who is fine with the foot?" he asked in a goofy tone as literally every girl, and Byakuya, all raised a hand up.

"Hai!" the girls all cheered just to spite the boys.

"Good, it's settled," Byakuya spoke, "Besides...I'm paying. And if it ends this nonsense...we're getting the Leg combo."

"You suck…" Mondo and Watcherman replied bluntly.

"Bite me," Byakuya countered before yelping as Watcherman actually did try to bite him, "Not literally, you plebeian!"

"HAH! I don't even know what that word means!" Watcherman laughed, "Your insult does nothing to my uncultured mind!"

"That's a good one…" Mondo admitted.

"GET OFF ME!" Byakuya snapped as he kicked Watcherman off, "Ugh...I'm surrounded by idiots.."

"We shall not go silently into the cold winter night!" Watcherman shouted, "We demand breasts!"

"You need to get social lives…" Shotaro replied.

"This is about the great food that is fried chicken, sir! How dare you taint it's name with double entendres?!"

"...Toko, get Sho out."

"Eh?! B-" Toko began.

"Do it," Byakuya ordered.

"Achoo!" Toko sneezed as she fell over...before shooting up as Sho, "WHO WANTS A HAIRCUT?!"

"AHH! NOT THE DO!" Watcherman and Hagakure freaked as they began to run away from a cackling Sho.

"Not again…" Akiko and Hina sighed as the chasing and the fighting...and the crying began.

It evolved into usual chaos again, as people ran about, distracted by different things. Byakuya tried to move out of the way, but he unfortunately moved into the path of the Christmas tree they brought in after Watcherman picked it up and tossed it. Mondo was grunting as Akiko jumped on his back and repeatedly thwacked him with her slipper. Ishimaru tried to pry her off, but Hina being the good friend she is tackled him over. Hifumi just hid behind the overturned couch...not wanting to incur the wrath of Sakura or Celestia, and Hagakure was off in the corner, probably having some kind of panic attack given how often these situations resulted in bodily harm for him.

"We keep forgetting how chaotic this place tends to get," Queen and Elizabeth muttered.

"Eh heh...you get used to it," Naegi sheepishly chuckled.

"Aw...I'm late to our daily fight." Philip sighed walking in with a thick winter coat...which had no sleeves, "Ah well...in for a penny." he flipped his book up before swinging it and smacking Sho in the face.

"OW! Okay...time for a…!" Sho began as she turned towards Philip...before Fang growled out at her, "..." she grabbed one of her pigtails before brushing the end against her nose, "ACHOO!"

"It's odd how used to this we are," Kyoko sighed, walking in and up to Shotaro.

"That's friends and family," Shotaro sighed, "You can make either...wherever you find 'em." he turned and looked at the white fedora over his desk...The one thing Kyoko noted he never let anyone touch.

Before Kyoko could ponder about it, the doorbell suddenly rang, making everyone stop as they looked at the door. After a moment, the door suddenly opened as a young woman poked her head in.

"Hello?"

"...AHH! A CUSTOMER!" Akiko realized, grabbing a nearby bell as she began to ring it," A customer!"

"Ahh! Sumiasen!" the woman yelped as she hurried to close the door, "I thought this was a detective agency."

Everyone jumped apart and made themselves presentable as Akiko ran to the door and opened it again.

"This is Narumi Detective Agency!" everybody cheered in unison.

"The detectives…" Shotaro waved along with Kyoko, "They are the...agency part." he laughed.

"...Phew. I was right then," the woman sighed in relief as she walked in, taking her sunglasses off as the door was closed behind her.

"...Wait…" Watcherman muttered as he shot before her, making her tense up, "...Mutsuki Asami-chan?!" he moved to take a picture with his phone only for Akiko to take it...and break it.

"Eh?! From the sister duo, Erika and Asami?!" Queen gasped.

"Yes, actually…" she began as she got their attention, "There's someone I want you to find."

"Leave it to us!" Akiko cheered, pushing Shotaro and Kyoko forward, "We have two specialists, both trained by two of the worlds greatest Detectives! Believe it or not, this one was trained by the Number 1." she pointed to Shotaro.

"Excuse me?" Kyoko arched an eyebrow.

"I'm sure my Dad was obviously the best." Akiko smiled.

"The girls inherited the rivalry…" Shotaro paled.

"Shotaro...I'm afraid," Naegi gulped.

"Me too, buddy…"

"It's no ordinary person," Asami explained, making them blink, "It's my elder sister…"

"...That's impossible," Kyoko spoke, "If I recall, your sister had passed away in a shipwreck, correct?"

"Hai...demo…" Asami aused, feeling a bit unnerved as she sat down in a nearby chair, "Five days ago...my sister...I saw her appear."

"Nuh-uh, no to the no-no…" Hagakure walked away, "Not doing ghosts!"

"But here's the thing...they never found my sister's body," Asami added, "I...I don't want to believe she's dead!"

"...Never found the body…" Shotaro whispered as a memory flashed in his mind, "I don't want to believe that she's dead."

-flashback-

*BANG!*

"Boss!"

-end flashback-

"So please...find my sister!" Asami begged, "Please." she bowed her head.

"Well…" Akiko sighed, "Seems we'll have to postpone our little holiday party…"

"Aw…" everyone complained.

"But chicken…" Santa-chan spoke.

"Aki-chan, the chicken!" Hina added, eyes watering in a pleading manner.

"We can pig out on fried chicken any day...in fact we have...five times…" Akiko argued.

"I finally got to make waffles!" Philip smiled.

"Aww~ I was hoping to get close to Philip!" Queen pouted, walking over to Philip before hugging his arm, "I'm super vexed~!"

"Come on…" Elizabeth sighed as she dragged her off.

"...This is disturbing…" Sakura spoke, standing up from her meditative position, "The dead coming back to life…"

"If it's that damn bear messing with people again…" Mondo growled as he began to crack his knuckles

"However, this is interesting. The concept of the dead returning to life," Philip spoke in interest, "Such a thing is impossible. This...oh this merits investigation." he smiled, "Boys...to the cemetery." he held up shovels, "Oh...and bring Hagakure...we need someone in tune with the supernatural."

"Ooh~ May I accompany you?" Celestia asked, "I've heard cemeteries look positively grim in the winter."

"Um...NO!" Hagakure freaked as he ran out.

"Capture that investigation tool!" Philip shouted, pulling out a net gun.

"...Where did…?" Naegi began.

"Made it with Alter Ego's help," Philip replied before rushing out.

"...Okay, who let him have Alter Ego to himself without supervision?" Hina demanded.

"No clue. It was Bro's turn," Mondo noted.

"Huh? But I thought it was Shotaro's turn," Ishimaru noted.

"I made a chart. Today was Mondo's turn," Shotaro immediately replied, pointing at a nearby color-coded chart...before double taking, "Oi! Who put magnets of chibi versions of us where I put the names?!"

"Eh heh...That was me," Asahina sheepishly held her hand up.

"Congrats," Shotaro stated as he swapped Hina's chibi magnet with Mondo's, "You're now on Philip Watch."

"Aw…" Hina pouted before they heard a 'fwoomph' and then Hagakure yelp.

"Caught him!" Philip called.

"HELP! Philip's gone mad again!"

"..." Asami blinked a few times, 'Did I come to the right place…?'

"This city is my garden," Shotaro stated, making Asami look up at him when he spoke, putting his fedora on, "Don't worry. Just wait."

"Okay, everyone not on the Philip team, get to clue hunting!" Akiko ordered.

"I'm gonna go rob graves!" Philip waved as he walked out with a shovel.

"Help me…" Hagakure whimpered, being dragged out in the net.

"Philip, no! That's illegal!" Hina called, running after him with Sakura, Celestia, Mondo, and Ishimaru following.

"And that's why we have the Philip team…" Akiko sighed.

'Asami-san was a regular on the hit charts...After that tragic accident, she bravely worked to create songs by herself,' Shotaro thought as the Investigation Team were hard at work in trying to find clues, 'I want to find the truth behind the ghost she saw. Perhaps it was a stranger with a close resemblance. However...' his phone rang with a text from Queen and Elizabeth, 'I knew the truth was something I could never imagine.'

"Psst! Come on, hurry!" Akiko called out to him from a nearby Seven-Eleven, making him walk in as she looked back at the employee, "Please repeat it to him."

"The Dead coming back to life?" Philip repeated as he and his team returned home after he investigated to his hearts' content...most of them covered in dirt and snow.

"Yeah...stories of the dead coming back to meet their families have been popping up all over town while we've been distracted with Monokuma stuff," Shotaro explained as he met up with Kyoko who brought back many similar stories.

"It would appear, these Dead returned to life always appear before family, and at places of notable significance," Kyoko added.

"Well sorry to tell you, with all my research I can confirm there is no coming back from Death. Well...except in comic books...but that's a can of worms even I don't want to get into. Oof…" he shrugged, "Furthermore, upon research into the boat accident that claimed our client's sister...the chance of anyone surviving that is a pure zero percent."

"...Did Philip admit that he doesn't like doing look ups on comics?" Hina asked.

"I tried reading up on Detective Comics," Philip stated before rubbing his head, "Ah...The headache is already coming back from that…" he groaned, "Not that they are bad or anything...but for one like me who enjoys accuracy and facts...comics are just not for me. I do like comics that are not of the big brands though…" he rambled, "An issue for another day," he shook it off, "But yes, I have confirmed there is no method of the dead coming back to life. Save for one possible exception...but even then...that is Gaia Memory-related...and sadly doesn't count."

=There's a Gaia Memory that can revive the dead?!= Naegi whimpered.

"Revive no…" Philip shook his head, "As I said, that is comic book fiction and nonsense, I meant bring them back, to revive would mean undoing death. This...is closer to zombies…" he paused, "And no...not the 'bite you and turn you' kind...I told you all to stop watching the Walking Dead...nightmares for days…"

=So the point is the only thing that could explain this would be...?= Shotaro asked.

"Yes, a Gaia Memory," Philip explained, "However, I'm not willing to bet it is the one I'm thinking. My theory is don't believe in these rumors, they might just be one big fake out."

"Out of curiosity...this is a Zombie memory?" Hagakure asked.

"No...that one is the 'bite and turn you' kind," Philip cut him off, making him pale, "I'm talking of the infamous Death Memory."

"D-Death Memory?" Hina repeated.

"Yes...if I recall it was one of a kind, among the highest of Memories made. But...that's all I know. I never made it nor have I ever had the time to read of its abilities. But if this is the memory involved, it essentially allows the Death Dopant...to...Mondo…" he waved him over and whispered into his ear.

"It flips off the rules of life and death and brings back souls?!" he shouted for Philip.

"That's it." Philip nodded.

"...EHHHH?!" everyone exclaimed in shock.

"I'm being theoretical," Philip added, "I'm sadly not able to confirm how the memory does it unless I see it in effect myself. Thankfully I have amnesia, and Shotaro is Shotaro, so we should be fine...maybe...hopefully...know what just in case...prep the panic room."

"Of course there'd be a panic room..." Byakuya sighed.

"...A Gaia Memory that can bring the dead to life…" Kyoko whispered as they had arrived at the cemetery where Erika was 'laid to rest', "...That is concerning."

"...That bear better not be behind it," Akiko frowned, whipping out her sandal instantly.

"Nah. I don't think he'd do that," Shotaro replied, "Recall how livid he got when it turned out there were no murders even though he had announced two bodies? He wants people to die. If they come back to life, then it'd give people hope and he prefers despair."

"...Good point," Akiko muttered, "Still...who's bringing people back to life?"

"The dead coming back to life…" the three looked over to see a man in priest robes walking over to them, "I've heard that rumor...how terribly unpleasant. For humans, death is a solemn and inescapable moment."

"...That is true, yes," Kyoko spoke, shooting him a suspicious stare before Akiko's phone went off, "...excuse us."

"Like she said," Shotaro stated as he and Kyoko grabbed Akiko by her backpack and dragged her off.

"...G-Good day," Naegi bowed to the priest as he hurried after the others.

"Okay okay! I'm getting it," Akiko muttered, pulling her phone out as they were behind cover, "Yes? ...ah, Asami-san! What can I….yes?...eh?...You want to cancel!?"

"Eh? She wants to cancel the case?" Naegi gawked, "Why?"

"I'mma find out." Akiko growled as she marched off.

"Stop that girl who looks younger than she is!" Shotaro panicked.

"Who does she think she is?!" Akiko fumed, stomping off as she walked through a crowd of people, "This isn't funny! This is too sudden!"

"Ahh! A-Akiko stop!" Naegi yelped as he and Shotaro ran up to her and held her back.

"I won't accept it...I need to talk with Asami-san!" Akiko snapped, moving in place.

"We're trying to tell you to calm down!" Shotaro snapped as Kyoko walked up to the three.

"I'm sure she…" Kyoko began before she noticed something in the window above them, "...Shotaro, look."

Everyone followed her line of sight to see...Erika. She walked past the window...turning to look at them. Confirming it was her, her face. She walked away before appearing near a staircase. She moved...and seemed to teleport forward several steps at a time.

"A...g-g-g-ghost…" Naegi and Akiko gulped, hugging each other with wide eyes of fright.

Shotaro and Kyoko chose to ignore them as they ran off after the 'ghost' of Erika. Their chase led them to the top of the building she was first seen inside of. The two detectives looked around...she vanished once they made it to the top. But things didn't end at just that, within a moment...the sky changed colors, no longer blue, but shades of red, yellow, and green.

"What the...?" Shotaro asked before the sky returned to normal.

The two then looked up as a figure floated down, clad in an old, ragged, faded/dirtied white cloak. What could be seen under its hood was a tower of skulls. Each eye socket lit up as its bone-like hand grasped a staff. The staff was wooden with old ropes tied to it, only insteach of a scythe blade the top had a bladed pike faintly in the shape of a space, with what looked like a white voodoo doll hanging off the top of the staff by a noose.

"I am Death. Ruler of the world of the Dead," he spoke as he looked down at the two, "I can fill the emptiness of losing those whom one loves. I...am the Ultimate Savior!"

"Death...So it is a Dopant…" Kyoko spoke.

"At least we understand that…" Shotaro smirked.

"You two, so strong yet...so empty. How your hearts ache...for those you have lost. One you could not save...and one...you could not love," Death spoke, pointing at Shotaro and then at Kyoko.

"I'm not falling for mind games!" Shotaro snapped, "You're just another Dopant hurting my city!"

"Hurt? No...I give people what they want. Perhaps even you as well…" he lingered on Kyoko, "Perhaps to say goodbye...as a good child should have…"

"...No...you lie…" Kyoko shook her head.

"You sure? I can give you that final goodbye to her…"

"?!" Kyoko tensed at that, her eyes widening a bit as her stoic expression broke for a moment

"Don't you regret it, child...not loving her...like a good girl should have? Like a human should..."

"...stop it…." Kyoko whispered, her voice sounding a bit shaky as she gripped her shaking hand.

"Kyoko?" Shotaro asked, before pulling out his driver, "Philip! Emergency time!"

"Nani?" Philip blinked, "Kyoko-chan is panicked...I'll be right there." he said with a serious expression as he took out his Gaia Memory, "Henshin!"

"Henshin!" Shotaro shouted as he jumped into the air just as the tornado formed around him.

=CYCLONE JOKER!=

Double grunted as he made the leap and clashed with Death. The two grunted as the Rider grabbed his weapon, the two struggling in the air.

"What are you really after, Dopant!?" Double snapped, "Why are you doing this to people?"

"Ah...the Kamen Rider...I'm sure you, too...have people you'd like to see once more!" Death spoke as they spun around in the air via both of their abilities to defy gravity.

"Sorry...Amnesiac…" Cyclone spoke as he reared his arm back and punched Death across one of his many skull faces, "Why so many skulls? It's hard to pick which to punch!"

"Just punch all of 'em!" Joker spoke as Double kept punching with his right 'till, finally, one of the skulls he punched had a staggering effect on Death as they began falling out of the air.

"Got it, middle skull," Double spoke, landing on his feet as Death grunted and landed on his side, crying in pain while putting a hand on his hip.

"You dare attack Lord Death?" he complained.

"Shut it, Skeletor," Joker replied.

"That...is a much better name than just 'Death' actually," Cyclone mused.

"So...You are Kamen Rider?" Death questioned.

"Yep. And you…" Joker started.

=TRIGGER! CYCLONE TRIGGER=

"...Are full of air bullets," Trigger finished as he began to open fire at Death, who jumped back and faded away, "...Philip...Death Memory doesn't do a ghost trick, does it?"

"This is my first time seeing it in use. It was never made during my time not being your aibou," Cyclone replied.

"Then where did he go?" Trigger asked, backing up as he checked on Kyoko who was starting to calm down.

"Kyoko-chan...are you alright? What happened...a mental attack? Fear induction?" Cyclone asked as Double turned his head so his eye could see her while Trigger used his eye to scan for Death, "I can't help you if you don't tell me what he did to you."

"...I...It's fine. He just...rattled me is all," Kyoko answered.

"Rattled? She looked like she was about to cry…" Naegi whispered in concern from his and Akiko's hiding spot.

"Shh! Now's not the time for that!" Akiko hissed before she looked up at Double as Cyclone's eye was glowing as if Philip was trying to word something.

"S-Shotaro…" Cyclone spoke as Double turned around as did everyone else on hearing footsteps.

Standing a few feet away...was a man clad in a white suit and fedora...a familiar white fedora. They had all seen that same hat dozens of times in the Office. It was the one hat that, no matter what, Shotaro never let anyone but him touch. The man slowly lifted his head up to reveal his face...it was none other than Narumi...Sokichi.

"B-Boss…?" Trigger asked slowly.

"Is that...Could it be…?" Akiko gasped, her eyes widening in shock, "Otousan…?"

"That's...him…" Naegi asked silently, "Akiko's dad...Shotaro's mentor…"

"Narumi...Sokichi…" Kyoko finished as she stared at the man, focusing on the cold glare he shot at Double.

"Boss…" Trigger spoke as Double took a step forward till Cyclone stomped his foot to stop them.

"Calm down! Shotaro...that can't be him. It's not possible!"

"You're right...it can't be the boss!" Trigger snapped as he regained some composure.

Sokichi lifted his hand up...holding a black and purple memory much like Shotaro's Joker Memory. On the side was a skull made to resemble an 'S.' Everyone blinked as he clicked it while taking off his fedora.

=SKULL!=

"No…" Trigger spoke as his hand trembled, "Only...only the boss had that memory…"

At that, a driver like Doubles formed on Sokichi's waist, only...the left port was missing. As if half finished in a sense. Only the right slot existed. Sokichi moved his hand up and twisted the memory around for insertion.

"Henshin…" he spoke slowly, slotting and pushing the slot to the side.

=SKULL!=

At that, purple lightning formed from his buckle as a small tornado formed around him. The lightning pulling debris out of the air...and forming it into armor which covered his body. Double said nothing as he looked it over. All black armor with silver bracelets and anklets of armor and silver stripes like a rib-cage on his chest plate. A silver helmet with the mask shaped like a skull, with an S shaped lightning bolt crack on his head, ending to the red gem in the center of it all. A small faded white muffler around his neck, and his fedora...which he gently put back in place over his helmet. His eyes were glowing purple before they slowly faded to black, like the empty sockets of a skull.

"Kamen Rider...Skull…" Trigger spoke.

"Toh!" Skull shouted as he jumped the distance between them and landed in front of him.

Skull wasted no time as he began punching Double in the stomach, making him double over. He continued as he began punching Double across the helmet, each time knocking the two in one Rider back, step by step. Double...did nothing as he let each strike hit him, he even let a powerful kick struck him across his helmet knocking him over.

"B-Boss…" Trigger gasped before Cyclone asserted control and made Double roll out of the way of several bullets that pierced the ground and a flower planter which was behind them.

Skull walked forward, holding his own black version of Double's Magnum. Everyone ran back further to take cover from what they expected to be a dangerous shoot out.

"Stop!" Trigger pleaded as Skull kicked Double across his helmet again, "Stop it!" Skull landed another punch, "Please stop!" he pleaded as Skull blasted him in the chest sending him stumbling back, "Boss!"

"Dad's a Kamen Rider?" Akiko asked, "How!? I didn't hear of this!"

"What's wrong...why aren't they defending themselves?" Kyoko asked as Skull punched Double across his mask again, sending him stumbling back and dropping his gun.

Double grunted as Cyclone's hand moved and swapped the Cyclone Memory for Luna. Upon changing forms, he dove for the Magnum, and aimed to shoot...only for Trigger's hand to grab Luna's. The two arms began struggling to aim.

"Stop it, Philip!" Trigger pleaded as Luna got off a few shots that at least blocked Skull's last three bullets.

"Calm down, that's not the real Narumi Sokichi!" Luna complained as he kept trying to shoot back.

"He turned into Skull!" Trigger snapped, "He has to be the real thing!"

"It can't be real!" Luna snapped back, "Because…"

Skull loaded his Gaia Memory into his Magnum as he closed it back up.

=SKULL! MAXIMUM DRIVE=

"Because Narumi Sokichi is…"

"Don't say it!" Trigger pleaded.

"Narumi Sokichi is dead!" Luna snapped, earning everyone's attention with how blunt he stated it.

Skull aimed and fired as Double jumped in the path of the large energy blast before it could hit his friends. The resulting explosion knocked him off the roof and to the ground below. Double slammed into the ground...hard. His armor faded in color before slowly dissipating, leaving Shotaro grunting in pain as he reached for his hat which had fallen off.

Skull walked down as his armor vanished. Sokichi stood on a staircase as he looked down on Shotaro, who still struggled to get up.

"Didn't I tell you that hats don't suit people who are Half-Boiled, Shotaro?" Sokichi asked as a shocked Akiko looked at them over the railing with Naegi and Kyoko, "You haven't grown at all. Just quit already."

Shotaro struggled to get up, even resorting to trying to crawl up the stairs as Sokichi began walking away. He tried...but he was in far too much pain...and passed out, falling back down the stairs again.

"Do you see now, Kamen Rider? That is proof I can revive the dead at will!" Death's voice spoke just as Sokichi vanished into thin air, "Let that be proof to all of you...so long as you are not my enemies...I can bring back those you lost." his voice lingered as if talking to the three who witnessed the whole event.

"...tch…" Kyoko clicked her tongue, gripping the bars of the railing as she shook a bit once more.

"Kyoko?" Naegi asked, noticing her shaking before she calmed down.

"It's nothing…" she replied, letting go of the railing as she began to walk off, "Come on..let's hurry and get Shotaro help."

"You're joking, right?" Mondo asked once Philip returned to his body.

"No...Death brought an image of Narumi Shokichi to fight Shotaro. Praying on his regret and pain of loss," Philip explained, "Imagine if the man who was like your father...just beat you up and diminished you." he elaborated to them how bad it was.

"...Such a despicable tactic," Sakura scowled.

"Even I think that is too far," Celestia added, frowning.

"But that's not the main point…" Philip spoke, earning their attention, "The bond Shotaro and Sokichi had...it was never that weak. It was strong...like a true father and son. So...why would he dare do that to the man he left everything to?" he asked, as it began to dawn on them what he meant, "I told Shotaro...there is no way that was him. But emotions are too strong for logic to prevail."

"You mean...it was...fake?" Celestia asked, "An illusion meant to attack Shotaro?"

"Exactly...the Sokichi I knew...wasn't cold," Philip smiled, "He was kind...Kinder than any man could be. The only person more kind...is Shotaro."

"...Yeah. Sho-bro is really kind," Mondo nodded, "I mean...if he wasn't there back during the second trial, I wouldn't be standing here right now…"

"He's a loveable idiot…" Celestia sighed, "Even when we show our black colors...he still accepts us."

"That is Shotaro. The man trained by Narumi Sokichi...Half Boiled...but that is his strength. He has the light Sokichi knew was needed." Philip smiled, "That's why I refuse to believe that illusion was real. It was false...and until I get Shotaro to realize that...we might have a problem. Minna...I need your help to keep the city from falling to madness and hysteria."

"...Of course," Ishimaru nodded, tears of pride flowing down his cheeks, "Shotaro has done so much for us...it is out turn to pay him back with as much fervor!"

"YEAH!" Mondo added.

"He'll be a little moody for a while," Philip added, "But don't worry...I know how to snap him out of it. Just leave it to me, I am his partner after all."

"I'm sure it'll be complex and insane," Celestia sighed, "But, we trust you, Philip, in spite of how...eccentric you are."

"Aw...We all know I'm insane." Philip smiled.

"Putting it mildly," Byakuya muttered.

"I prefer to think of it as Modesty," Philip added, "Alright, people are gonna begin spreading this 'dead come back to life' thing like mad in no time. I need all of you...to do something even more outlandish to distract folks from that." he turned to Hagakure.

"...Why are you looking at me?" the Ultimate Clairvoyant asked.

"I have an idea." Philip smiled, pulling out a lightbulb and holding it over his head as it lit up with green light.

"...Can I…?"

"No," Philip stated.

"So...you need us to not let this Death Dopant get attention from folks?" Mondo summed up.

"Yes. I get the feeling his plot involves his name being known." Philip mused, "And call me a spiteful type."

"When haven't you been?" they all asked.

Detectives Jinno and Makura walked up to the Narumi Detective agency once night had fallen. The two in the mood of the holiday season, only to pause as Shotaro met them at the door, not able to look either of them in the eye. Only for Jinno to grab his arm before he could leave.

"No need to ignore me, Shotaro. Where are you going?" he asked as everyone was sitting down and looking up at the scene.

"Doesn't matter where…" Shotaro responded, taking his arm back, "I...am going to quit being a detective."

"Huh?" everyone blinked at that.

"Eh?" Jinno asked.

'As well...as quit being the Kamen Rider…' he mentally told himself as he walked out while slamming the door shut.

"Is he serious?" Jinno asked, looking at Akiko and Kyoko, who were sitting down nearby, with Shotaro's fedora laying on the table.

Makura began laughing, not really reading the mood at all, "See, Jinno-san!? He's just an irresponsible man after all!" at that, Kyoko got up and walked out, "What?"

"...Is Mondo-kun home?" Jinno asked.

"Uh yeah…" Naegi nodded.

"Mondo! My partner needs another sparring session to teach him Manliness!" Jinno shouted into the garage, "I'll go check on those two…"

"What I say?" Makura asked, only to yelp when he was dragged away by Mondo's arm.

"Well...This isn't anything to worry about, right?" Jinno asked.

"It's...kinda bad," Naegi explained.

"Well...he doesn't have anywhere to go but here…" Jinno sighed.

"What do you mean?" Naegi asked.

"Sokichi was technically Shotaro's legal guardian...for the time back when he was around," Jinno spoke, "His family left town a while ago. For the longest time, this little agency has been that kid's home."

"...This place really does mean so much to him," Naegi whispered to himself.

"Yeah...and as for young Kyoko..." Jinno paused as he looked out to where Kyoko walked out, "It took some time...but after recalling the name Kirigiri, it surprises me to see one working here in Sokichi Narumi's place."

"Eh?"

"Sokichi and Fuhito Kirigiri were rivals," Jinno explained, "They never got along, but they were the best detectives in the city, possibly the entire world."

"Really…" Naegi spoke.

"It's arguable...I mean, one day you hear Fuhito took down a criminal syndicate in London...the next, Sokichi stopped a Yakuza civil war that could have torn the nation apart," Jinno sighed, "But even they were forced to work together as fellow Detectives. But they never worked together well...Fuhito focused so much on the work...while Sokichi first and foremost...only ever cared for saving people. The answers came second. Honestly put them together...they'd be the second coming of Sherlock Holmes and Watson."

"So what...They fought a lot?" Naegi asked.

"No...both were too professional to do that…" Jinno sighed, "Though...one time…"

-Flashback-

Sokichi walked into the police station before pausing, seeing a man with wispy white hair, dressed in a white suit, glasses and a cane in hand. He looked about Sokichi's age to an extent, but possibly older as well.

"You again…" Sokichi drew his fedora down over his eyes, "I guess things are that bad if they stooped that low, Fuhito…"

"Hmph...a pleasure to see you too, Narumi," he stated in a near sarcastic tone.

"So you do know emotions like sarcasm...I should be careful. You seem to be learning." Sokichi sighed, walking forward as they stepped into an elevator.

"I hear you recently took in...a boy."

"Shotaro...he's a part timer," Sokichi responded simply.

"Why not your daughter?"

"Mention her again...and I'll pop you one. I'm not afraid to harm the elderly," Sokichi responded.

"...Fair enough," Fuhito stated, "Besides...I've started training someone myself. My granddaughter Kyoko."

"I'm sorry…" Sokichi spoke, earning an arch of Fuhito's eyebrow.

"Sorry for what?"

"Your son's wife...I read she passed away recently," Sokichi explained, "I am sorry for your family's loss...That little girl...she must be hurting."

"...She'll get over it," Fuhito stated, making Sokichi tense, "She blames her father for leaving the family due to her death, and not being able to see her pass on...which is good. She needs to focus on her training to be my heir."

"..." Sokichi said nothing as he clenched his fist hard, "She's a child, Fuhito…" he walked forward as the elevator opened, "They are fragile...They need to be protected," he stopped, "You're a great detective, but...you're a shit man."

"...And that's what separates us, Narumi," Fuhito stated, gripping his cane, "Where as you let your emotions drive you...I follow the family motto; 'A detective's work comes before anything else, including family.' Kyoko knew of this when I started training her with her traitorous father, and already she is making strides."

"I might be guided by my emotions, but that doesn't change the fact...I am a father. You...aren't fit to be called one. You'd be better off taking a student. Family is something beyond you," Sokichi spoke.

"You talk of the meaning of that word...yet you haven't visited your own family in years…" Fuhito began as Sokichi stopped. He moved to say something only to flinch as Sokichi punched him, knocking off his glasses and making him fall to the floor.

"I told you...never mention my daughter," Sokichi spoke with a serious look in his eyes, "You have no idea the pain I suffer. I would give anything...my pride, my title, my respect, anything...just to be with her once." he frowned, "But I can't...I must be here...but you could never understand my pain. The pain of never being able to hold your child again." he growled, clenching his hand and revealing a spider tattoo stamped on his wrist.

"...The Spider's Curse…" Fuhito whispered, currently holding a handkerchief over his bloodied nose.

"Fuhito Kirigiri…" Sokichi began as he turned his back towards him, "If you know love...protect that child, for she might be the only light left in your life...and not just for your sake...but for her Father's as well."

"..." Fuhito said nothing as Sokichi walked off, not once turning back to face him.

-end-

"If you're wondering where I was, I panicked and hid behind the water cooler…" Jinno sighed, "Those guys were scary as heck…Did you know Fuhito didn't even need that cane to walk around? He may have shown no emotions...but he wasn't afraid to whip someone's ass with that cane."

"Noted…" Naegi whispered, a bit of a sweatdrop going down the side of his head, 'Still...that's why Shotaro reacted when he first saw Kyoko's name...his boss and her grandfather had bad history together…wait...so when that Dopant mentioned a 'her'...was he talking about Kyoko's mom?'

"I gotta admit...I think that girl turned out alright thinking of who raised her..." Jinno sighed, "But still...that old man...would probably have a stroke if he learned the student of his rival was partnered with his granddaughter…"

"Oh no…" Naegi panicked.

"Then again...Last I heard, he went missing," Jinno recalled, "Nobody has seen or heard from him in a long while…ahh. I'm just rambling at this point."

"Um...How long?" Naegi asked.

"Hm? Roughly...Two years if I remember right," Jinno replied.

'Two years...right around the time that was the start of our missing memories,' Naegi thought before Jinno handed him a large envelope, "Eh?"

"He asked me for some help in getting some information," Jinno explained.

"Information?" Naegi repeated

"Oh, it's here!" Philip cheered, walking in, "I needed this."

"What's that?" Naegi asked as Jinno left.

"Sealed evidence from suspended cases," Philip explained, "Also proof for my point."

"Philip...don't you think you're being kind of...blunt about all this?"

"Nonsense...If I'm not blunt, you'll all lose yourself to nonsense and emotions, then fall into Monokuma's machinations to make you suffer despair. If I don't be blunt and tell you you're all stupid...you'd probably all die and you wouldn't come back," Philip smiled, "Surely you also already understand this truth, Naegi...the dead can't come back."

"Eh? But...Does that mean the Death Dopant can't do that?"

"I'd like to respond…" Philip began before sighing, "But there's a lock on the Death Memory Book." he sighed, "Furthermore...you are misunderstanding something else. If they could come back...would a man so strong as Narumi Sokichi...bend to the will of a Dopant making his city...and his daughter cry?"

"!" Naegi blinked a few times in surprise before Akiko stood up.

"We're resuming the investigation," Akiko ordered.

"Can I have my time alone with my evidence?" Philip asked.

"No."

"Aw…" Philip sighed, "Okay, okay...I'll go fix the detectives. Try not to burn the place down." he grabbed his sleeveless parka and walked out, "By the way, I'm taking the Revolgarry...Okay, bye! I'm leaving before you have time to process all that!"

"...Did he just say he was taking the Revolgarry?" Hifumi blinked.

Everyone heard the roar of an engine as the giant vehicle took off.

While all this happened, the Sonozaki estate was in the middle of a late night gala, for the family and it's multitude of business partners, both legitimate...and otherwise.

"The rumor rocking Fuuto about the dead coming back to life?" Ryubee laughed, holding Mck in his arms, "Because of the Memory I gave as a present, some very interesting things are happening."

"Meow…"

"...If it makes you feel any better, you know who is getting vexed by it."

"Meow?"

"This is bearshit…" Monokuma muttered as he waddled by, dressed in a butler's outfit, "Stupid Death Dopant...I am feeling very mixed about it...On the one hand it brings back the dead...but on the other it brings dead people back before their loved ones just to make them suffer despair...Monokuma is feeling super vexed!"

"Get to work," Saeko stomped her heel, making Monokuma jump, "I have important guests, and I need them entertained by a clown. Now don't you dare make me...look...bad."

"Fine fine…" Monokuma muttered as he waddled off.

"Should not have made that bet," Mukuro said from nearby.

"Bite me!" Monokuma snapped...before Mick pounded onto his face and bit him in the muzzle, "AHH! NOT LITERALLY!" he freaked as he began to run around, "Someone get Jerry to whack Tom off of me!"

"Joke's on him. Mice are terrified of Mick's presence to the point that even dead mice will come back to life to flee," Ryubee joked.

"We're thinking of going to see it for ourselves next time," Saeko noted.

"Maybe I will go, too. I'm interested in that Memory," Wakana admitted.

"Have a secret boyfriend you want to see?" Saeko teased.

"Iie. That's Mukuro-chan and he's still alive," Wakana replied, making Mukuro nearly trip.

'It's amazing how bringing up Naegi Makoto around Mukuro causes her to momentarily forget herself,' Kirihiko thought with a sweatdrop, '...Speaking of that Memory, I saw Father in an unusual place…'

-flashback-

"Here."

"Oh that looks good," Ryuube noted as he and an elderly man looked at the large bottle placed before them, the two sitting down at Fumen, "Here."

"Oh thank you."

"..." Kirihiko said nothing as he spied on the two, moving the collar of his jacket up to hide his face.

"Well then...E-chan~!"

"Ryuu-chan~!"

"Kanpai!" The two elders chuckled as they clanked their served drinks together and took big drinks.

"By the way, how are Mikku and Mukuro?"

"Ah, just like my daughters, he just doesn't listen to me. Mukuro's quite a good girl. Really glad you pointed me in that direction when you visited last time," Ryubee replied, "Honestly, it'd suck if that one's plans went off. Would've taken far longer to do anything."

"Indeed…" E nodded.

'...Did he give it to that man with a large beard?'

-end-

'A Memory of such great power like that…' Kirihiko thought as he watched Ryuubi closely.

"I'm glad you all came!" Ryuubi laughed, holding up a wine glass, "A toast...to another wonderful year! Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas!"

Asami, wearing pink pajamas, slowly walked down a set of stairs in her home. She approached a set of opened curtains...revealing Death as it floated outside the window.

"I bet those detectives won't be coming back…"

"...Is it true?" Asami asked, earning Death's attention, "Is it true that I will be able to live with my sister again?"

"Of course…As long as you accept my request."

"...I'll do as you wish."

"Very good…" Death grinned as he floated off, "I am the only one who can save you...I am your only Hope."

Shotaro walked his way to the pier, having stopped for a bouquet of flowers he carried in his hand. He stopped and turned around.

"Kyoko...I told you not to follow…"

"I know…" Kyoko said, standing not too far away from him, "I was concerned is all…"

"...and…?"

"...and I came to pay my respects to a great man," Kyoko added, holding her own bouquet.

"Get on…" Shotaro sighed as he pointed to a boat.

Kyoko nodded as she stepped onto the boat, letting Shotaro start the engine off as the boat went off. It took a while, but eventually they found themselves on an island a while off the mainland, it was small, and had the burned remains of a tall building which had crumbled and fallen to shambles with the damage of that night, and the elements over the time. Shotaro stopped the boat and tied it down as they climbed out. The City's Kamen Rider walked up to some rubble that had fallen and gently put his flowers down on the makeshift grave for his mentor, Kyoko following his lead.

"You know…" Shotaro began, "The Boss talked about you, Kyoko…" he spoke, earning her attention, "He respected your Gramps as a Detective...but he called him a shit man."

"...When it came to detective work, yes," Kyoko answered, "But outside that...he was a good grandfather. He took care of me when my father abandoned the family...after my mother passed away, he trained me to be the best detective and heir to the family. But…" she paused as she gripped her hand, "Even I...have made mistakes...much like yesterday when I lost control of my emotions for a few seconds."

"He was talking about your mother…" Shotaro spoke, "You never got to say goodbye. I know that feeling…'cause I never got to say goodbye either." he looked at the building, "The Boss...he was more then my mentor...hell...he was more than a dad, too...I wasn't his son. I wasn't his blood, but he took me in...he taught me, he trained me, he would tell me when I'd screw up. When to shut up and listen…" tears began forming in his eyes, "It was my fault...I didn't listen...and now he's gone. I'm not ready yet...I'm not like the boss. He was cold...but kind at the same time. He protected Fuuto the right way...he was Hard Boiled. If he was here, he would have stopped all this before it ever happened."

"Monokuma's Killing Game...the Gaia Memory distribution...all of it," Kyoko listed.

"Kyoko...I'm not a detective like he was...not even like you," Shotaro began, "I'm not the person who should have inherited his city. I'm not even fit to be the Kamen Rider…"

"...You're wrong," Kyoko spoke, making him turn to look at her, "You've inherited his will...and you've done an amazing job, even more than me I will admit...and like I said, even I have made mistakes in the past…"

"...You're referring to your hands, aren't you?"

"Yes," Kyoko nodded, gripping one of her gloves for a moment, "...Before I show this, I'll let you know this...out of our friends, I trust you, Naegi, and Philp the most...enough to show this…"

Shotaro raised a brow as Kyoko slipped her glove off. His eyes widened a bit when he saw her hand...covered in burn marks to the point it almost looked unrecognizable.

"When I was younger and starting out my career as a detective, I burnt my hands in an investigation...to the point where I can't feel anything with them," Kyoko explained as she slipped her glove back on.

"So that's why you've always had the gloves on…" Shotaro replied, "Part of me just figured you had some germaphobe thing…" he chuckled in a forced way, while wiping his eyes.

"If I may ask…" Kyoko began, "Why did you want to become Narumi Sokichi's student?"

"When I was a kid...way...way back when. Like when I first knew Naegi and Sayaka…" he began, "I was dragged off to this...musical thing with them...that's when it happened...the First Dopant…"

"The First Dopant?"

"They called it the Curse of the Spider…" he explained, "He had this ability...that cursed people. If you had his mark, the moment you touch the one you love most...they'd die."

"Then the reason Akiko hasn't seen her father in years…?"

"The curse," Shotaro replied, "At that time...I didn't know he was Skull...He was just this man who rushed up to save an innocent woman...and kicked a monster in the face. While everyone ran away from danger, Narumi Sokichi...ran towards it," he went on, "I couldn't take my eyes off him. I didn't know what a detective was...who he was...I just knew...that was the kind of man I wanted to become."

"I see…" Kyoko noted as she looked out at the remains of the building, "Sokichi Narumi and Fuhito Kirigiri...hm. In a way...our lives were affected by the world's foremost famous detectives. And if they had never met..." she paused to look over at Shotaro, "Then we wouldn't have met…"

"I guess that's true…" Shotaro noted.

"My Grandfather always said, many times, he felt like Sokichi had him beat in something," she admitted, "Something he never understood. No matter how much more prestige he gained, the bigger cases he solved, it felt like everyone always spoke of the man from Fuuto. I think deep down...he knew Narumi Sokichi had something that made him a stronger man."

"Kindness…" Shotaro spoke, "The Boss always told me...that a hat is a Detective's partner. It hides the coldness...and the kindness in their eyes. But he said I had neither…"

"I think he meant...you don't have the first one," Kyoko spoke, "You don't have any coldness in your eyes. And I know that look. My grandfather and my father, when he met with him...all they ever had was coldness in their eyes. You...I've never seen such coldness. Even when you were angry...all I see is...that warmth, that kindness, that makes you act so recklessly to protect us, and people you've only just met."

"I guess that's why Boss always called me Half Boiled…" Shotaro responded, turning to the building again.

"He was the only one you let call you that...wasn't he?"

"All I ever wanted...was to be like him," Shotaro spoke, "To be reliable, to protect people, this city...our city. I tried so hard...even as a kid to make him acknowledge me as being worthy…"

-flashback-

Sokichi stopped mid-walk to his office. He turned around to see a little boy with messy black hair hiding behind a corner.

"You again…" Sokichi sighed, "Go home to your Mother…"

"No way!" he shouted, "I'm not leaving 'till you make me your apprentice!" he declared.

"You're twenty years too early to be talking about getting into my line of work," Sokichi sighed, tipping his hat down.

"Eh…?" he walked forward, "No way! I'm ready now!"

"Go home, boy…" Sokichi spoke.

The next day, Sokichi walked out only to suddenly stop as he looked down to see the boy again. He smiled in a cocky manner as if he had been waiting there for him since...god knows how long.

"What part of 'go home' don't you get?" Sokichi asked.

"I'm not that easy to beat, Boss!" he cheered.

Sokichi sighed as he began his day, chasing leads, only it was harder than normal. Since every time he turned around, that boy was there. Following him, beating him to certain locations...and getting in the way. But...somehow...it didn't anger the Hard Boiled Detective. Somehow, the kid even tied the shoelaces of a man he'd been trying to catch for weeks now, letting him finally bring him in to the cops.

Sokichi sighed, returning home as the boy marched after him, "How many times do I have to tell you? I don't want you here…"

"Say it as much as you want!" he smiled, "I'm going to become a cool adult like you!"

"...Cool…"

"You're not like other people here in Fuuto," he explained, "Everyone always runs away from weird stuff...and they always made me leave even though I didn't want to. You're the only adult who runs towards weird stuff! I want to be like you!"

"Cocky little brat…" Sokichi spoke as he opened the door to his office, he then came back with a paper as he taped it to the top of his door, "Fine...you want to join my Agency...come back when you're tall enough to take this paper. I won't accept you unless you can reach this paper all by yourself. Then maybe...you might be worth taking around with me."

"Eh?" the boy asked looking up at the door, from where he stood, "That's not fair! I'll be like an adult by the time I can reach that!"

"Maybe then you'll be good for something…" Sokichi sighed, "Remember...not 'till you can reach it all on your own." he slammed the door at that as the boy pouted up at the paper. He then turned his head to the old things that had been littered around the entrance and lingered on some used painting supplies from the building next door.

Sokichi sighed once inside. He could finally take some time to himself. So much had happened to him recently that work was the only way to keep himself together. He looked at the Skull Memory on his desk before covering it with his hat. He leaned back and closed his eyes to rest. In that time, he could think a little more. That kid...he was annoyingly stubborn, but he'd be lying if his being around...didn't help ease many of the pains he was feeling. It was almost...almost...like his own kid was here, just enough the thought of never seeing her again...faded just enough to let him remember. She's alive, she's safe, he might never be able to hold her again, but he could be happy knowing she was safe.

*Knock-Knock*

Sokichi looked up and heard knocking on his door. He groaned and got up, figuring the kid was throwing a tantrum. He walked quickly, as another thought occurred to him. What if that stupid kid tried to do something like climb and get it...only to fall over. A twitch of concern went through his mind as he picked up the pace towards the door. He opened it and stopped in shock, seeing a paper held up to his face. Sokichi looked over it and saw the boy was standing almost close to his eye level, he looked down to see he'd stacked a bunch of old paint cans to make stilts.

"I...I got it!" he smiled struggling to keep his balance, "A deal's a deal, right?!"

"Omae…"

"A man keeps his promise, right?" he smiled, "You said when I was tall enough to reach the paper...not old enough...and I'm tall now!" he waved his arms around to keep from falling over, he then yelped as he tipped over, only for Sokichi to grab him before he could fall, "Hehehe…"

"You're a crazy kid…" Sokichi spoke, "Oi...Kozo...what's your name?"

"Shotaro! Hidari Shotaro!" he smiled.

-end-

"...I see," Kyoko noted, taking all that in.

"I wasn't born with some talent like the rest of you," Shotaro sighed, "I never wanted to prove myself to anyone...but him." he went on, "He still never acknowledged me...I never earned my hat."

"The white fedora...the one you never let us touch...It was his?" Kyoko asked.

"It was his favorite," Shotaro added, "He said his wife got it for him the day he became a Detective, and it was the one he planned to wear to his daughter's wedding… But...in his last moments...he left it to me," he sighed, "Now...he'll never get to see Akiko again...walk her down the aisle...and it's my fault 'cause I didn't listen to his orders."

"Even so…" Philip's voice got their attention, making them turn ot see him standing near the shore, "I don't think he'd ever hate you." he walked over to them from the beach, "I suppose this is all cathartic isn't it, Shotaro? We never found a body, so this place is like a grave for you to pray to."

"Philip…" Kyoko blinked as he spun Shotaro's fedora around his finger.

"I always found you both the most interesting of my friends," Philip mused, "I read a lot of Sokichi and Kyoko's grandfather. They never got along once as people. But when they worked together, they were a force to be reckoned with. It's because they were two opposites. One a man who only cared for the job, even at the cost of loved ones, never understanding what he had that is worth so much more to so many…" he lingered looking at Kyoko, "And a man who always moved forward with his instinct and gut...facing dangers, and taking on the wishes of his client, but doing so with coldness and kindness." he looked at Shotaro, "When I think of it...neither of you are anything like them!" he laughed.

"What?" Shotaro asked.

"Neither of you are like those great Detectives of the past generation...not in the slightest. Neither of you are like them," he laughed, "Shotaro is Half-Boiled...lacking that edge and dark air that made Sokichi the force of nature so many claimed him to be. And Kyoko...you don't believe in your own family's number one rule, you act cold...but the truth is...you actually did care, and still do." he went on, "Neither of you are like them...your both only their students…" both of them looked down at that, letting his words sink in, "But...that's what makes you better in my opinion."

"Better?" Kyoko repeated.

"Of course...your grandfather...well...he was an ass…" Philip shrugged, "He kept you from seeing your mother...and made you think you had to hate your own father…" he went on as she looked at him, "But...deep down...you don't. Do you know why, Kyoko-chan?" he smiled, "Because, unlike your grandfather...you have a true kindness. Deep down you want to care, to smile and show the world your light. I know this because you show it to us…" he looked down at her hands, "You are an annoyingly strong willed woman...which is why I think you also make a good partner with Shotaro...but don't get it wrong...I'm still his true partner."

"You…" Kyoko whispered.

"Still...coming here to see the grave you made for him...quite Half-Boiled as always," Philip chuckled.

"Oi!" Shotaro snapped, grabbing Philip by the collar.

"When we first met here, you also grabbed my collar like this, too," Philip recalled.

"This is where you met?" Kyoko asked.

"Yes," Philip replied as Shotaro let him go while he pointed up at the ruined structure, "Up there, actually. This was a factory producing Gaia Memories. The one we were working on that day was, funny enough, a Detective Memory." he sighed, "I never even got to push the button to hear it say the word. That's always the fun part, too. Especially when you click it rapidly."

"Since you showed yours, we may as well share ours," Shotaro noted, looking up at the building, "The first time we became the Kamen Rider...That night that began it all…"

"The events of Begins Night," Philip spoke.

SZ: *speaks like Spy from TF2*Surprise...cliffhanger!

GT: *dressed as Soldier from TF2* Anyone who has issues with that, I will teleport nothing but bread for three days into your bedroom and your underwear.

Z0: Nope *grapple hooks away and into the night*

GT: Joke's on him. I already teleported bread for six days into his closet. *hears loud roars and Z0 shouting mixed with gunshots and explosions* Yeah, while we wait for him to be done with that and come kill me, here's the preview.

Jikai, Danganronpa W Trigger

Shotaro: It was a year before you all started living with Philip and me.

Shoichi: The enemy is using that young man's power for villainy

Taboo: Come out, thief. Or are you an industry spy?

Shotaro: Never did I expect that night to lead to such disaster.

Philip: However...it was also the night, that Double was born, the day you made a deal with the devil.

Case 14: D - Begins Night

Monokuma: Upupupupu...Such Despair…

GT: …

Z0: Okay so...I might have gone overboard...and now your house is...on fire…

GT: Eh, that wasn't my house. I just made your house look like mine and mine look like SZ's. So that's your house. …*sees the death glare Z0 was giving me*...Bye~ *vanishes into the next chapter*

SZ:...read and review folks