On the rooftop, wind howled, tossing loose debris. The gray constellation cards slipped from STAR SAINT's hands, clattering to the ground. In an instant, light flickered, and the figures of CHEN BAI SHI and CHEN YU XIN slowly appeared within the cards.
MANG GA LIN: "Eh…?"
STAR SAINT smiled faintly, speaking calmly:
STAR SAINT: "No rush… now all you have to do is insert the constellation cards."
MANG GA LIN held the AQUARIUS and PISCES cards, tossing them without hesitation toward the illusion STAR SAINT had created. In a flash, CHEN BAI SHI and CHEN YU XIN gradually revived.
CHEN BAI SHI: "This… what's happening?"
CHEN YU XIN: "This… what is this?"
STAR SAINT's lips curled slightly, as if he had foreseen everything.
Base in Anxiety
Elsewhere, ZHONG KUI RIDER gripped a can of soda, crushing it in his hand with visible anger.
ZHONG KUI RIDER: "Damn it… why!"
HEART RIDER remained silent, her gaze fixed on the front, complex emotions reflected in her eyes.
Suddenly, alarms blared across the base, shattering the brief silence. ZHONG KUI RIDER and HEART RIDER mounted their bikes, racing toward the scene.
ZHONG KUI RIDER: "Stop!"
Almost simultaneously, both drew their drivers, light flaring from their waists.
ZHONG KUI RIDER: "Transform!"
HEART RIDER: "Transform!"
The two drew their weapons, engaging the monsters in a fierce battle. Blades and claws clashed; the monsters were taken down one by one.
Above, on the rooftop, STAR SAINT stood, slightly looking down, his voice cold:
STAR SAINT: "It's time… the three of you, step forward."
MANG GA LIN, alongside the revived CHEN BAI SHI and CHEN YU XIN, descended from the rooftop with determined steps.
Five Riders Assemble
ZHONG KUI RIDER and HEART RIDER pressed their driver buttons simultaneously:
ZHONG KUI RIDER: "RIDER! GO! FINISH ATTACK!"
HEART RIDER: "RIDER MAXNI ATTACK!"
Under their combined efforts, the monsters were instantly defeated. They turned, surprised, at the approaching three figures.
ZHONG KUI RIDER: "Eh? CHEN BAI SHI? CHEN YU XIN? You… aren't…"
All three strapped on their drivers, light flaring:
MANG GA LIN: "Transform…"
CHEN YU XIN: "Transform…"
CHEN BAI SHI: "KONGWU!"
MANG GA LIN: "STARS UP! GEMINI!"
CHEN YU XIN: "STARS UP! DARK OWL!"
CHEN BAI SHI: "RIDER! KUGU!"
STAR RIDER glanced at ZHONG KUI RIDER, then at HEART RIDER and KONGWU, gripping his constellation sword and charging. KONGWU and HEART RIDER followed suit. ZHONG KUI RIDER blocked the attack with his GUANWU sword, HEART RIDER used her GANJIN claws to counter the impact.
ZHONG KUI RIDER shouted:
"Mang Ga Lin! Tell me why! Why!"
STAR RIDER responded coldly:
"Not why!"
With that, STAR RIDER kicked ZHONG KUI RIDER aside.
He then inserted all twelve constellation cards into his driver; light illuminated the entire battlefield.
MANG GA LIN shouted: "Switch!"
"STARS~~! UP~!"
"ARIES TAURUS GEMINI CANCER LEO VIRGO LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES!"
"RIDER! STARS! ALL IN ONE!"
ZHONG KUI RIDER and HEART RIDER were stunned:
ZHONG KUI RIDER: "What!"
HEART RIDER: "No! Oi! Move!"
STAR RIDER leapt, kicking ZHONG KUI RIDER; an explosion swept the area, knocking all five to the ground.
STAR SAINT Descends & Unexpected Counter
STAR SAINT descended slowly, footsteps light yet commanding as a dark judgment. Holding the STAR RIDER driver and ZHONG KUI RIDER's driver, his gaze was piercing.
As he reached out, STAR RIDER and ZHONG KUI RIDER suddenly grabbed his hands.
STAR SAINT: "What?"
STAR RIDER yanked the driver lever fiercely, ZHONG KUI RIDER followed instantly. Both leapt, delivering a combined kick to STAR SAINT!
The Saint's power was broken; STAR SAINT's expression darkened, staggering backward from the heavy blow.
STAR SAINT: "You… how…?"
MANG GA LIN smiled faintly:
"Saint… I think you don't know. I only wanted to revive CHEN BAI SHI and CHEN YU XIN."
STAR SAINT smiled faintly, eyes unfathomable:
"Humans are truly strong and mysterious beings. I look forward… to that day… when I can see the real ultimate you."
With that, STAR SAINT disappeared into the wind like a phantom.
Reunion and Foreshadowing
The five riders slowly de-transformed. ZHONG KUI RIDER's fist landed heavily on MANG GA LIN's chest:
ZHONG KUI RIDER: "Good! You even tricked your brother!"
MANG GA LIN smiled faintly:
"If I hadn't tricked him, how could I have revived them?"
The five exchanged smiles; a brief warmth and friendship spread in the wind.
Meanwhile, STAR SAINT returned to his base, handing a wave of energy to a subordinate:
STAR SAINT: "Hurry the process… the day is coming."
The subordinate respectfully injected the energy into the TIM HONG DRIVER.
STAR SAINT looked up at the night sky, a cold gleam in his eyes:
"Everything… is about to begin."
The night wind blew, the base lights flickered, hinting at a larger, more dangerous battle looming on the horizon.