Sparks of light flashed through the air, and the lingering smoke made the sky outside the cabin feel eerie and dark.
Human-form Gu Xing's eyes locked firmly ahead, his voice low but resolute:
"Zhengjin, Yuen, I don't know if I can rely on you, or whether you're up to the task—but I have no choice. From now on, you must stop Rider from awakening his Demon Form!"
Ma Zhengjin froze: "Huh?"
Yao Yuen instinctively took a step back: "You wouldn't dare!"
Gu Xing paused for a moment, then his gaze hardened: "Yes! This is the only way."
Without warning, he transformed into a dazzling sphere of light and shot straight toward Yuen.
"Reddy! GO!"
The driver's sound effect rang out. D-X immediately intercepted, kicking the glowing sphere of Gu Xing toward the Strange Man.
In an instant, Gu Xing's light collided with the dark energy released by the Strange Man. The violent explosion tore through the air like the sun ripping apart clouds.
The shockwave lifted dust from the ground, throwing the three Riders and nearby monsters violently to the floor.
Peh Chin Yoh got to his feet, eyes burning with anger: "Gu Xing!"
Yuen leapt forward, holding him back tightly: "Don't be reckless!"
Ma Zhengjin pressed down his own rage: "Stay calm!"
Meanwhile, the Strange Man had retreated to the Ancient Monument Base, laughing lowly in the shadows:
"Damn… that Gu Xing actually sacrificed himself to defeat me! Ha ha ha… pathetic!"
Elsewhere, Peh Chin Yoh knelt, eyes flashing with both fury and confusion:
"Damn… why?"
Yuen tried to console him, but Zhengjin stopped her: "Give him a moment to calm down."
In a corner, a shadow chuckled softly, eyes scanning the chaos:
"So… this is Rider's story."
The mysterious figure slowly stepped forward, holding a card that flickered with faint light: "Heh."
Soon, Ma Zhengjin and Yuen arrived at the ruins where monsters ran rampant.
Yuen surveyed the devastation: "Wow… looks like a deathmatch."
Both strapped their drivers to their waists, hearts pounding.
Yuen whispered: "Transform!"
Ma Zhengjin's voice was firm: "Transform!"
Meanwhile, in Zhengjin's home, the mysterious black shadow slowly took form—Zheng Shiguang.
"You… will you just keep falling?"
Chin Yoh looked up at him: "Who… are you?"
"I am the guardian walking across all timelines," Zheng Shiguang smiled, eyes heavy with the weight of space-time. "To you, I can be your future… or your past."
Chin Yoh frowned slightly: "Oh… whatever."
Zheng Shiguang handed him the glowing card:
"Remember, your mission is to end this ancient farce. Take it."
Chin Yoh took it, puzzled: "Eh? What is this?"
"This is what you gave me… now it's returned to you."
Looking at the card in his hand, Chin Yoh felt clarity rush through him:
"Yeah… I forgot… I'm here to protect the world!"
He clenched his jacket and ran forward.
Zheng Shiguang smiled softly: "Kid, I look forward to the story you'll write for me."
Not far away, monsters still wreaked havoc. Two Riders on the open ground had been knocked out of their transformations.
Yuen shouted: "Wow—!"
Ma Zhengjin gritted his teeth: "No… its power is several times ours!"
Just as the Strange Man prepared to strike lethally, a familiar figure charged into view:
"Stop!" Chin Yoh's voice thundered, his driver flashing at his waist.
"Transform!"
The driver emitted a sharp sound effect:
BAI-X! FLAME EAGLE!
(Rider · Fire Eagle Form)
"I will protect the world!"
Chin Yoh gripped his sword and leapt, a dazzling slash tearing through the air.
The Strange Man sneered: "Overestimating yourself!"
A violent wave of energy swept toward Rider, kicking up dust in a massive explosion.
Yuen and Zhengjin shouted together: "Chin Yoh!"
As the smoke cleared, Rider's glow suddenly dimmed—then—
BAI-X! DEMON!
(Rider · Demon Form)
Yuen gasped: "Eh?"
Ma Zhengjin's eyes widened in shock: "What—!?"
The Strange Man stepped back, pupils shrinking: "Huh? Where did you get that power?"
Chin Yoh gripped his sword, eyes resolute:
"You don't need to know!"
Sword light howled, ripping through the air.
"Even so, you're still a loser," the Strange Man mocked.
"Even if I'm a loser," Chin Yoh gritted his teeth, eyes shining with unyielding spirit, "I'll be a loser who tried his best!"
A clap of thunderous applause resounded across the battlefield, as if the heavens themselves were responding.
The shadow chuckled: "I like your style!"
Zheng Shiguang raised his driver, voice booming:
TIMER DRIVER!
"Transform!"
The driver radiated a powerful light:
TIME RIDER! TIMER!
(Time Rider · Space-Time Descendant)
"I've come only for the people of all timelines to live in peace."
With that, Time Rider surged forward, sword light combining with Chin Yoh to strike at the Strange Man.
FINAL ATTACK!
REDDY! GO!
The two forces merged, striking the Strange Man directly.
After the shockwave, the Strange Man fell to his knees, a rare smile on his face:
"Ha ha… not bad, still has the style of the old days… Rider! Continue to fight!"
Before anyone could react, he dissipated into black mist, as if he had never existed.
Chin Yoh slowly lowered his sword, eyes reflecting the interplay of sunlight and dust.
Yuen and Ma Zhengjin stood beside him, silent yet filled with clarity in their hearts—
The world was, once again, protected.