"Before me are five egg-shaped machines. These are my opponents for the mock battle, the gadget drones."
"They have some pretty sharp attacks, so you'll get hurt if you let your guard down."
"Got it."
If that's the case, I won't hold back.
"...!"
I activate the Form of the Dark Night, and a jet-black aura envelops me.
As if it were a signal, energy gathers in the gadgets' muzzles.
But before they can fire,
" 'Strength' Seal Boost!"
I use the 'Strength' Seal Boost to power up and accelerate. I swing the Superspace Holy Sword: Space Caliber.
A golden flash instantly disassembles the five gadgets.
From there, the level of attacks visibly increases. This must be Nanoha-san's doing.
I'm instantly surrounded.
"Ra-Shield!!"
I deploy Ra-Shield behind me and summon a magical archer in front.
"Fire!"
Explosions echo from all directions.
Then comes the next wave. A different kind of gadget appears, no longer egg-shaped but a perfect sphere. It extends its arms and attacks.
"'Bullet' Seal Bound!"
I avoid it by leaping high into the air.
"Bao... Zakeruga!!!"
—BAOOOOOOOOHH!!
A golden dragon with a wide-open mouth turns the remaining gadgets, including the new spherical ones, to ash.
After that, no more gadgets appear.
" ...Alright, it's a bit early, but I think that's enough data on this type of enemy."
A telepathic message flies in from Nanoha-san.
"Okay, next up is a battle in an AMF environment. Let's do it."
As soon as she finishes speaking, new gadgets appear.
Then,
"Whoa...!"
My body suddenly feels heavy.
"It seems the AMF has been deployed."
"Yeah, looks like it..."
My body feels heavy because the amount of magical power required to maintain the Form of the Dark Night has skyrocketed.
"Zakeruga!!"
A bolt of lightning shoots toward a spherical gadget. But,
"It's being deflected by the armor."
The lightning slides off the round armor and dissipates into the ground and the air.
"It seems so. Its power is significantly attenuated by the time it reaches the target."
Replica-sensei calmly analyzes the situation.
"Maybe if I put more magical power into it?"
"It would be effective, but it's still inefficient. It would be better to fight with something other than magic. Fortunately, you have that power, Sho."
You're right. In this situation, I should...
"Nanoha-san, can I ask you something?"
"Hmm? What is it?"
I call out to Nanoha-san telepathically.
"In this situation, is it okay to use my Rider power?"
"Hmm, let me see... Yes?"
"Huh?"
Is Nanoha-san talking to someone over there?
"Yes, yes... Understood. Sho-kun, it's okay."
"Alright then."
I put the Ziku Driver around my waist.
"ZI-O!"
"Henshin!!"
"RIDER TIME! Kamen Rider ZI-O!"
I release my magic and transform into Zi-O.
"Okay."
The gadgets' movements are slower than before, probably because activating the AMF lowered their level. I destroy them with punches and kicks.
"As expected, the AMF doesn't affect a Rider."
"If it's not magic, it's likely not a problem."
As we talk, I keep the opponents at bay with gunfire. Nanoha-san is being cautious with the AMF battle, so the enemies don't get stronger all at once.
Still, the enemy's level is gradually starting to rise.
You know what, since I'm at it...
"I might as well use this too."
"W"
I activate the W Watch that I received from Aria and hadn't used yet.
"Henshin."
"RIDER TIME! Kamen Rider ZI-O!"
"ARMOR TIME!"
"CYCLONE! JOKER! W!"
Two humanoid robots, one green and one black, appear. They look just like Kamen Rider Cyclone and Kamen Rider Joker standing side by side.
They transform and attach to my body. My upper body, in particular, becomes half green and half black. The Gaia Memories fuse and protrude from my shoulders.
This is Kamen Rider Zi-O, Double Armor.
"Now, let's count up... No, there's no point in saying that to a gadget."
It's not the time for a catchphrase. I'll just fight silently.
"Hah!!"
A kick enveloped in wind dents a gadget that's within reach, and a punch from a black fist pierces through another's armor.
"O-waaah!!"
I grab the resulting junk with a hole in it and throw it with all my might. Several of them detonate in a chain reaction. While I'm doing that, more approach from behind, but no matter how many rush at me, they won't get through.
But the gadgets' attacks aren't limited to charging.
The gadgets' muzzles glow.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!"
The next moment, three gadgets unleash a concentrated barrage. I roll and hide behind a building, so I'm not hit, but it's a hassle to try to get close without taking any damage.
More importantly, Riders have a convenient ability: Form Change, the ability to adapt to the situation.
"Let's do this."
"TRIGGER"
I activate a Gaia Memory and perform a Memory Change. The Trigger Memory activates and is absorbed into the W Watch.
The pattern on the watch changes from Cyclone Joker to Cyclone Trigger.
I rotate the belt.
"FORM TIME!"
"CYCLONE!"
"TRIGGER!"
The black armor on the left side of my body detaches. In its place, a blue, Trigger-colored robot appears in the air.
It transforms and attaches to me in the same way. What's more, a weapon is generated, unlike with Cyclone Joker.
The gadgets, as if waiting for my transformation, hadn't attacked until now. Light leaks from their muzzles, and they look like they're about to fire at any moment.
Before they can, I grab the Trigger Magnum mounted on my left chest and pull the trigger.
The bullets that are fired are enveloped in Cyclone's wind. With a light recoil, countless bullets are expelled.
"Hmm?"
I tilt my head as I watch the bullets fly.
The gadgets are full of holes, sure. But,
"Where did the bullets even go?"
The bullets don't seem to be flying where I intend for them to. I've heard that Cyclone Trigger is "weak" or "difficult to use," and I can see why...
"If I'm going to use Trigger, I'd rather use this."
"LUNA"
I pull out a gold-colored memory.
"FORM TIME!"
"LUNA!"
"TRIGGER!"
By changing the Soul Side, the bullets' properties change.
The bullets that are fired are now gold. The rate of fire from the Trigger Magnum itself has dropped, but thanks to the Luna Memory's effect, these bullets curve.
They automatically hit the target even if I don't aim. I don't even need to control them after I shoot. This feeling of watching the enemy melt away just by holding the trigger...
"This is a combination that makes you lazy!"
"Don't let your guard down. More are coming from behind."
"Got it."
I take out my second gun, the Jikan Girade in Gun Mode. By the time I take it out, the shooting has already ended.
The bullets, released by the invisible gun, had pierced all the gadgets that were approaching.
It seems the Luna effect doesn't apply to this one.
But that's not a problem. In fact, I can switch between them. We're inside a building, on the first floor of a high-rise office. There are various obstacles, but I can use the Trigger Magnum for enemies hiding behind them and the Jikan Girade for enemies who carelessly show their faces.
They can't get close at all.
Then, the large spherical gadget that appeared during the non-AMF battle appears again. I don't care, I think, and pull the trigger, but...
"Hm."
The bullets are deflected. I aim for its joints with both guns, but the result is the same.
"The bullets are bouncing off."
"Its armor seems to have gotten stronger."
"So this is the final boss. I didn't really pay attention to it before since I just vaporized it with Bao Zakeruga."
I guess it was supposed to be the final gatekeeper.
"Here it comes!!"
"Yeah!!"
Its serpentine, bellows-like arms stretch out to try and catch me. I roll and take cover behind a pillar.
"To break this hard armor, I need this."
"HEAT"
"METAL"
I take out the memories once more.
"FORM TIME!"
"HEAT!"
"METAL!"
I perform another form change. The armor I was wearing comes off, and new red and silver memory robots appear, transforming and attaching to me.
My dedicated weapon, the Metal Shaft, appears on my back. I lightly swing it to get a feel for it and take a stance.
"I've never actually used this type of weapon before."
"Then you'd better use it well."
The arms approach again, but...
"Yaaah!!"
I strike back with the shaft, which is now enveloped in intense heat. The arms warp from the heat.
"I'll finish this in one go."
"FINISH TIME! W MAXIMUM TIME BREAK!"
Both ends of the Metal Shaft glow with even greater heat. It's so hot it's like a jet-propulsion. A force so strong it feels like the weapon will fly away in my hands.
Using that momentum, I slide closer.
"Metal Branding!!"
I swing the shaft and strike the large sphere. The single blow turns it into scattered scrap metal.
"Alright, that's the end. But..."
"Nanoha-san?"
I was about to relax after the end signal, but Nanoha-san's words are hesitant.
"Just a moment. I'm coming over there."
"Who is?"
"That would be me."
This wasn't an opponent I could joke around with, like "The gods, with too much time on their hands, are playing games." Standing before me is Signum-san, who has already deployed her Byakuen.
"...Don't tell me."
"Yes. I wanted to test the power of this rumored Kamen Rider. I asked Takamachi to let you use it, but nothing beats fighting in person."
"Oh, what a classic trope to encounter here...!"
To be challenged to a fight by battle-maniac Signum-san... I can't believe such an overused scenario is happening to me!
So many unexpected things have been happening lately that this makes me feel a sense of nostalgia!
"What's wrong? I won't force you if you're tired."
"No, I'll do it."
"Hmph, an immediate decision."
Signum-san smiles happily.
Normally, I'd avoid a pointless fight, but if it's a chance to test out Zi-O's powers that I haven't used much, that's a different story. I'll gladly take this opportunity to learn from her.
"Sho-kun, are you really okay?"
"Yes. I'd like to use this chance to learn from Signum-san."
"Understood. If it looks dangerous, I'll stop it from over here."
"Got it."
"Is your conversation finished?"
Signum-san looks as though she can't wait any longer.
"Yes. I'm going to try out a lot of things on you."
"Planning to use me as a guinea pig, are you? You have good guts."
Signum-san draws her sword and takes a stance.
I silently pull out a different watch.
"DE DE DE DECADE"
"Henshin—!!"
---------
Fate, startled by the sudden intrusion, frantically shakes Hayate's shoulder.
"Wha-what? Why is Signum-chan joining in?!"
"Hmm, Nanoha-chaan?"
Hayate connects to Nanoha, who is on the training ground.
"Oh, Hayate-chan? Perfect timing."
"What about that thing with Signum? Is it just her usual habit?"
"Yeah. I think so."
"Well, then it can't be helped."
"It can't be helped?! Are you really okay with that?!"
Fate retorts to Hayate's decision.
---------
"RIDER TIME! Kamen Rider ZI-O!"
"ARMOR TIME!"
"KAMEN RIDE! DECA! DECA! DECADE!"
I change my armor. A transparent afterimage overlaps and attaches to me—the Decade Armor. At the same time, its exclusive weapon, the Ride Heiseisaber, is equipped.
"While I'm at it..."
"W"
"I might as well try this too."
I reactivate the W Watch I was using earlier. Instead of replacing the Decade Watch with it, I add it to the protruding part.
"FINAL FORM TIME!"
"DA-DA-DA W!"
My hand and foot armor, excluding my chest, changes. The right side becomes white and the left side black. The scale-like armor becomes sharp and jagged.
"You're changing again?!"
"That's the true essence of a Rider."
This is Decade Armor's W Form. The power of Fang Joker. In this form, I don't need a hand weapon.
I throw the Ride Heiseisaber away and take a fighting stance.
"It's not as cool as the real thing."
"ARM FANG!"
A white fang emerges from my right wrist armor and blocks Levantain's slash. I counter with a left straight, which she blocks with her sword's sheath.
I quickly crouch and throw a low kick to trip Signum-san.
"You're too soft!!"
The attack is so low that she easily avoids it with a light jump. She then grips Levantain with both hands and brings it down.
"Not yet!!"
I twist my body and use the sole of my foot to block the descending Levantain.
"What?!"
I use my weight to push it into the ground, and Signum-san can't pull it out no matter how hard she tries.
"Hah!!"
I bring the Arm Fang up in an uppercut toward Signum-san.
But her reaction is fast. Realizing she can't pull her sword out immediately, she lets go of it and uses her hand to block the Arm Fang.
As expected of the Knight's Armor. My fang and Signum-san's armor clash, sending sparks flying.
Then, she follows up with a full swing from her sheath.
"Gah!!"
I cross my arms to defend, but the power from a single hand is unbelievable.
"Haaaaah!!"
With a powerful shout, she uses sheer force to lift my body and throw me off.
"As expected. You're more than I anticipated."
"Thank you."
I was able to confirm a lot of things too.
"You still seem to have some strength left. In that case..."
Levantain activates, and an empty casing is ejected.
"I think I can raise the level one more step."
At the same time, I feel as if Signum-san's magical power has increased by a level.
"A big move is coming—"
I respond by operating my belt.
"DA-DA-DA W! FINAL ATTACK TIME BREAK!"
A fang, accompanied by a light-blue aura, emerges from my right leg, contrasting with Levantain, which is now enveloped in flames.
"Shiden—"
"Fang Strizer—"
Signum-san takes a step, and I sink my body to leap into the air. At that very moment,
BEEEEEEEP!!!!
"!"
A buzzer blares across the training ground. The tense atmosphere immediately dissolves. Our concentration is broken by the sudden interruption.
Wha-what is it?! An enemy attack?!
I instinctively brace myself for an enemy, but...
"Okay! That's enough! We still have things to do later, so no big moves, please!"
Nanoha-san's voice echoes in my head. A clash of ultimate moves was probably a bad idea. Well, that makes sense.
"It seems our match will have to wait."
"Looks like it."
We both cancel our transformations and head toward Nanoha-san.
--------------------------------------------
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