//------------------------------//
// The Path we Chose - Down the Dimly Light Path
// Story: Kamen Rider Alchemy
// by Layton13
//------------------------------//
It had been uncharacteristically quiet for the last week after Mesmer had plagued the city. Not a single Corrupted had been spotted or detected, nothing, just silence. The Riders welcomed this, however, savoring their victory, even though the threat of Shadow Gold and Platinum was still lingering over them like a storm cloud. Why they hadn’t started anything new yet was however a concern, this just didn’t sit right. Something was gathering on the horizon, and it didn’t look good.
And indeed, inside a dimly light warehouse, a very impatient Checkbook was walking up and down the room, flipping through several pages on his tablet. “Damn it, damn it, damn it! Why aren’t they doing something? If I can’t get them to act soon, the higher-ups are gonna be on my case again. I can’t stomach another failure, especially after I already lost Monochrome. If I can’t get the blueprints of that damn Driver my head will be the one rolling, and if they don’t do anything I will never get it,” he hissed, desperately searching through the pages upon pages of interesting artifacts. “Maybe if I find one that is interesting I can get Gold to do something?”
“I wouldn’t bet on it. He is not interested in finishing this, he will drag it out as long as he sees fit, so better be prepared for that,” a voice said, sounding slightly amused if he was honest. In a split second, he spun around, staring directly at Platinum Shadow. The young man held a Driver in his grey hand that he casually placed on the table behind Checkbook. Checkbook stared at him, a nervous glimmer in his eyes. “Oh, don’t worry, I won’t tell the old geezer, what do I care what you think about him. He says what to do, and that is it. You aren’t the only one who doesn’t want to drag this out for no reason, but my hands are tied. He is the boss after all.” The last word he said with a dismissive tone, he was sure of it.
“Thank you. I can’t risk losing him as an ally, especially after we invested so much in him, but this playing around with Alchemy only makes the guy stronger. He has filled every plan he hatched until now and who knows if we can keep this up for much longer. He is risking Alchemy getting far more used to his powers. He might have more knowledge about magic and the powers, but if Alchemy learns more and more who knows who would win,” he returned, his fingers tapping nervously on his tablet.
“Oh, don’t tell me. He wanted to beat Alchemy with his own weapons so he could rub it in, not me. Every fight he learns more and gets closer to him and with his allies there is a chance this could end in his favor. All because of some dumb revenge scheme, it’s pathetic really,” he spat out, glaring at the Driver before him.
“Oh, and I thought you were all for that plan, you killed for it after all.”
Platinum looked at him for a moment before starting to laugh. “Oh, yes I did. But I couldn’t care less. I didn’t have much of a say in the matter. It was his idea, and I was just a ‘lowly servant’ how liked to phrase it. He pointed me at what to do and I, like the loyal puppy I was bit down. That is all. I would love to finish this up soon here and be on my merry way, leave him to his delusions and so on and just settle down somewhere where I can live in peace and quiet as far away from this insanity as possible.”
“Huh, interesting. Still, do you think if I find something interesting enough that could torment Alchemy that I could force him into action? I really need him to do something, or I will be in a very tight spot,” Checkbook asked, flipping through the pictures on his tablet faster and faster.
“I don’t know, it could spark an idea, but what do I know. He was always someone who flew by his own rules and mind. If he thinks something will work he’ll try it, if not, don’t even bother,” Platinum returned, smirking as he looked at the Alchemy Driver in front of him.
“I’m not so easily swayed like anyone else. I lead, and you follow, if that is not something you can stand I suggest looking for another business partner, but if I remember correctly the last two failed you, didn’t they,” Shadow Gold’s voice echoed through the room, letting Checkbooks blood freeze in his veins.
“Shadow Gold… I’m sorry, I didn’t want to sound displeased with you, you are still a good partner, and we are willing to work with you for as long as you want. My superiors were just getting a little bit impatient with our progress, that is all.” He was sweating bullets, his eyes following the movement of the man with unnerving intensity.
“Oh, are they now? Not my problem. You offered to help, and you agreed to all my demands, so either accept that or leave. Tell that to your superiors as well as the fact that I’m the one in charge here! And if that is unacceptable for them, they are very much welcome to forget about the blueprints of the Driver. Did I make myself clear?” Even though his voice sounded like Ivory’s more high voice, every word he spoke send Checkbook into another frenzy.
“Ye… Yes, of course. I will tell them that everything is under control and is proceeding nicely,” he stammered, swiping away several drops of sweet form his forehead.
“Good, and I actually have something that you will be happy to hear. I have a new plan so you can tell your superiors that as well. Doesn’t that make you happy?” Gold chuckled, glaring at his business partner with a devious smile.
“Oh, really? So we are actually getting closer to finishing all of this nonsense?” Platinum chuckled, resting his feet on the table while leaving back whit his chair.
“Silence! I didn’t ask for your input! Do not interrupt me again or you will regret it!” He hissed at him, Platinum glaring at him for a moment before quietly sighing.
“You’re the boss, got it. So, what was it you have planned?”
“Yes, that would be of great interest to me as well,” Checkbook joined in, the underlying nervousness in his words not entirely gone yet.
“Well, if you ask so nicely, how could I say no to that?” Gold smirked back before returning to his previous, far more serious expression. “We keep having trouble actually hurting any of the Riders, no matter what we have tried until now. And then there is the fact that not even a Rider from another world with his friends could stand against them. That is a problem, one that can not simply be overlooked. We can’t continue like this.”
“So, what are you suggesting? Look for an artifact that changes your appearance and fuck with them, so they don’t trust each other. I don’t think that will work, they might be a bit slow, or at least Alchemy is, but even he would notice when something like this would happen. If you plan something like this you have to be very careful,” Platinum just chuckled, one of his eyes taking a quick look at his ancestor.
“Silence! Didn’t I say you should stay quiet!” He hissed back, glaring daggers at his underling. “Not that this is the plan I intend to follow anyway, far too risky and reliant on them being stupid. No, I will just remove one of the pieces that keep them so strong. I’m going to eliminate a Rider, and I know exactly which one to chose,” with the last words a devilish grin crossed his lips.
>--------------<
That smell, she could notice that smile everywhere, it was just one of a kind, one she would never ever forget. Without so much as a second thought she jumped up out of bed, almost falling over, her legs apparently haven’t gotten the memo yet, before somehow regaining her balance once again. Not wasting her time with such stuff as switching out of her sleep pants and tank-top she burst through the door of her room and almost flew down the stairs so fast she was. Her mad dash ended in the kitchen, storming into the small room and nearly ramming into the creator of the delicious scent.
“Hey, watch out! Or do you want me to drop the pancakes?” A ruff voice barked at her, but really, what was she expecting? He was always like this, and she didn’t really want it any other way.
“Oh, come on you killjoy, don’t be like this. I can’t other than to storm here when I smell your world famous pancakes, what can I do,” she cheekily replied, much to Pinecones annoyance.
“Huh, you never change, do you?” He returned in a mixture of annoyance, exhaustion and a bit of delight.
“Nah, and neither do you, so we are pretty much stuck with each other, but it could be worse,” she returned with a grin.
“Yeah, we could live with Phoenix under a roof.” Pinecone shuddered for a moment. “The thought alone is horrifying,” he added with disgust.
“Oh, don’t be like that, he isn’t that bad, has the hearth at the right spot and is not dangerous, well as long as you are on his side,” Emerald returned, taking a peek over her brother's shoulder and right at the dough in front of him before licking her lips.
“Tsk, you don’t have to be near him every day of the week, he is just the worst. Annoying, stupid and always has a stupid joke ready for every opportunity. By Gaia, do you know how annoying he can get?” He groaned, starting to let out his frustration on the pancake dough.
“He might be a bit annoying, but that is no reason to let it out on the poor defenseless dough. Look at him, he is already nearly jumping out of the pot,” she chuckled, a bright grin on her face, tempted to put out her tongue.
“Uh, yeah, you’re right,” her brother sheepishly returned, slowing down the pace considerably.
“And, be honest with me, you kinda like him, don’t you? The old you would never be so calm while being around him, but you are. You actually appreciate his help, don’t you? You might never change, but you have changed,” she said with a slight chuckle. “The old you would have never helped the city, and don’t come with something like this benefits us as well. No, whenever you come home, I see the smile on your lips, that expression of satisfaction, especially when you fought a monster. And don’t get me started of the day you fought that Mesmer guy, you were smiling more than ever when you came home. I’m glad you found something you enjoy doing and especially that it is helping people. You were always so grumpy and strict, but now you feel like a completely new person,” Emerald finished, smiling at her brother with a heartfelt smile.
“Don’t be ridiculous. My responsibilities lie here, not with the city, you know that” he tried to return, but she wasn’t buying it for a second.
“Oh, don’t give me that horsecrap. I know you better than anyone, I know when you are happy, and you haven’t been happier in ages. I can see it, and no amount of you trying to hide it can stop me from noticing. Why can’t you just accept that there might be something that makes you happier and fulfilled you more than this damn legacy you cling onto? That damn thing won’t make you happy, you are chasing a pipedream,” her words turned from calm and contempt to frustrated and sad. “I just want you to be happy!”
“My happiness is not important, I have a duty to uphold. This duty just happens to coincide with fighting for the city. I might like the fighting and the fact that I can save some people, but this is not why I go out there, I just do what is expected of me. That is all I need in my life, nothing more,” he returned, sounding rather matter of factly. “Now, if you would be so friendly and stop with this nonsense, breakfast is done.”
Emerald was about to say something before sighing in defeat. “Fine, you damn grump. But don’t come complaining when you feel bad or something, you know what it is.”
“Good, well at least I know where I can complain if I ever have problems, he weakly chuckled, placing a pancake right in front of her. “Strawberry yam should still be in the fridge if you want some,” he added before pouring in more dough for the next one. “And try not to eat it too fast, I hate it when you start complaining about the next one.”
As he finished, she had already ripped open the door to the fridge, and her arms darted towards the glass of delicious yam, seemingly guided by an invisible hand. “Oh, but I what am I supposed to do, eat it slowly and just let it sit there taunting me? Yeah, no, that’s just not my style. The little bugger is faster finished than you can say pancake,” Emerald chuckled before grabbing a knife and heading back to her little treat.
“Yeah, was expecting that one, your stomach is an endless hole that is never satisfied. How you manage to keep your figure is beyond me.”
“Hey, I have a great metabolism, thank you very much. No need to get mean. By the way, isn’t like you eat any less of them. Actually, you eat more most of the time,” she smirked back, plastering the delicious red substance all over her food.
“Well, I need it, after all, fighting does take a lot of energy just so you know. Maybe you would even more if you actually worked more.”
“Oh, spare me, I would love to work and no, not some dumb stuff at the shrine, real work. But a certain someone is against that for some reason,” she hissed, in between her bites, that were quickly swallowed.
“You know my answer, so why even try to argue. You have, just like me, a duty to uphold, and we can’t just walk away from it,” Pinecone returned, rather matter of factly, all while flipping the pancake to the other side.
“Heh, I’m not winning against you on this am I?” Emerald sighed, letting her head sink down in annoyance. Pinecone just nodded in return. “Well, at least not now. But give it a bit longer, and you might actually admit yourself and grow a bit more open with this whole thing. Maybe you even lighten up a bit?” That was the point where she just had to giggle. “Nah, ok, that would be even to far fetched for a dream. You will always stay the same old damn grump you always were, and I don’t really mind that.”
Pinecone just looked over his shoulder for a moment, but after that returned to his cocking, but not without the faintest shimmer of a smile crossing over his lips.
“Say, what are you planning on doing today anyway?”She asked after swallowing the last bite of her food. “You won’t be here I assume, even though it has been rather quiet lately. Leaving me with all the work again,” she chuckled.
“Yes, even though it looks quite right now that can change in a heartbeat and especially with that Shadow Gold running the show now we can’t be too careful. He is dangerous, especially after what he did to you,” Pinecone encountered, the lightheartedness in his voice vanished as he continued with his usual serious tone. “Don’t go anywhere and try to stay safe. If anything would happen to you…”
“Yeah, got it and it’s not like I’m completely helpless, having a Kamen Rider as a brother has its perks as well, minus the big target on ones back. But don’t worry, I’ll stay safe, and if anything happens, there is always the phone,” she returned with a bright smile. “On another note, how about more?”
Before Pinecone could answer a sound disrupted the peaceful little breakfast they had going on, the sound of a knocking. “huh, who could that be? One of your friends? Are you expecting someone?” She asked, looking over to the door where the sound continued.
“They aren’t my fr-. Forget it,” he groaned as he pulled the finished pancake from the oven and placed it on her plate. “Wait here, I look who is gracing us with his presence so early in the morning.” With that, he walked out of the room and towards the front door. The entire time they had talked the knocking didn’t stopß for even a second, much to Pinecones annoyance.
Even when he opened the door the hand still knocked on wood a few times, apparently still swinging with full force. “Who in the name of Gaia is tormenting my door so early in the morning?” He hissed out of the door before actively taking a look, one that only let his expression sour more. “Oh, it’s you. What do you want?”
“Morning to you as well Pinecone,” the oh so familiar voice returned. Phoenix stood before him complete with his jacket and a bike helmet dangling from his side.
“What do you want?” He once again repeated, sounding no less annoyed than last time and still sporting his apron.
“Oh, is it Phoenix? Why don’t you invite him in? I’m sure he would love that!” Emerald shouted from the kitchen, much to the apparent annoyance of her brother. “And don’t let Pinecone stop you, he would love to.”
“Well, if you say so. Wasn’t planning on staying all that long anyway,” he returned, trying to hide his chuckle as he entered the house, Pinecone continuing to stare daggers at him. “Hmh, what is that for a smell, it’s wonderful.”
“One of Pinecones famous pancakes… Well, famous isn’t really the word, but they are good, like really good,” Emerald chirped in from the kitchen.
“Hmh, you made those? The smell just as good as Thunder’s and you know how good Thunder is. That is damn impressive, really!” He returned, all while the salvia was almost drolling out of his mouth.
“Want one? I can give you half… a third of mine, the rest is already gone… again,” she chuckled sheepishly, rubbing her stomach as Phoenix entered the kitchen.
“Oh, I would love that,” he returned before he saw her. “Oh, just out of bed I see.”
“Yeah, I just sto…” That was when her face turned from with to a bright crimson as she looked own herself. "Oh, by Gaia, I didn’t expect any guest here so early, I didn’t have time to dress myself properly. I’m so sorry, I’ll be right back,” she stuttered out and rushed towards the kitchen door.
“Ah, don’t sweat it. I sleep enough over at Ocean’s so this isn’t really surprising, not like you have more than her,” he chuckled, still covering his eyes out of courtesy. “But if you still want to change, go ahead.”
“Yeah… I probably should do that and… What do you mean with ‘not like you have more than her?” She asked, throwing an inquisitive glare at him.
“Ahm… I meant you have the same parts and… I probably should just stay quiet right now, right?” Now it was his time to be flustered, his orange sin turning a bright red.
“Yes, yes you should!” Pinecone commented from behind, sounding rather pissy, even more than before.
“Yeah, got it. The offer for the rest of the pancake still stands?” He sheepishly returned, taking a peek at the thing from beyond his fingers, still looking just as delicious as before.
“Yeah, go ahead. And better be quick about it, I’ll be back in just a minute, and if you aren’t done until then I’ll take the rest,” he received a playful answer form, Emerald.
“Yeah, got it and don’t worry, my stomach is fast and so is my mouth.”
“Yeah, you are quick with spewing bullshit and stupid jokes,” he heard from behind, but simply decided to ignore it this time. Within record time he had sat himself there where Emerald had just been seconds ago and took the first bight. The taste was exquisite, almost melting on his tongue. “Damn, these are good. Taste even better than they smell. You are good at this;” he said in between the first and the next bite.
“Cut to the chase, what do you want? I’m sure it’s not a visit just to see how I’m doing, am I right?” Pinecone returned, remaining as stoic as ever, even though Phoenix could have sworn there was the ghost of a smile on his lips.
“Right, right, why I’m here. Well, Ocean actually wanted to call you on your phone, but apparently, it#s dead right now. Did you miss to charge it?” He asked, throwing a slightly puzzled look at Pinecone.
“If my phone is dead? Not to my knowledge, look I charged it last nig-“ The moment he said that he pulled out his phone and to his shook, it showed him that it was indeed out of energy. “Huh, seems I forgot to charge it.”
“Eh, don’t sweat it, these things drain energy faster than a Magic Disc sometimes and forgetting it once is really not that weird, tends to happen. But since the phone was dead, she asked me to meet you in person, just in case something had happened. But it seems that was not the case, thank goodness, or thank Gaia if you prefer that,” he returned before swallowing the last bite of the foot. “And once again, damn this is good, you have to give me the recipe sometime.”
“No, I don’t. Family secret. And that is not important right now. Why are you here? And no more unnecessary stuff got it!” He huffed back, now staring him right in the eyes.
“Ok, ok, got it. A simple please would have done the trick as well. We got a lead,” he said with a heavy undertone, staring right back at him.
“What do you mean with we have a lead? A lead to what?” Pinecone asked, his undertone unmistakably unsatisfied with the answer.
“A lead where Shadow Gold and his allies are hiding. We finally have a lead to where we can find Ivory’s body and all of that. We could put an end to all of this. We need you for this. We don’t know how long they will still stay there or if they know we might know, but we have to act quickly. Are you up for that?” Phoenix said, delivering the last few sentences with an uncharacteristically somber tone. “You don’t have to if you don’t want.”
“By Gaia, finishing this bastard of is something I won’t let pass by. After what he tried to pull with Emerald he will pay!” He growled back, clutching his hand into a fist. “He is responsible for all of this if we can put a stop to it, I’m all in for it. I want my forest to be save again.”
“Thanks, that means a lot to me. We don’t have much time, so do you want to say something to your sister? You know it could be dangerous, right?”
“Do I look I don’t know that? Of course, I know!” He barked back.
“What do you know? Did something happen?” Emerald's voice asked as she walked into the kitchen, now wearing her regular day clothes.
“Sorry Emerald, something came up. I’ll have to go. You know what you have to do over the day, right?” He returned, rather matter of factly.
“Sure I know, but what about the pancakes?” Emerald frowned, looking at the half-finished one in the pan.
“Sorry, this is urgent, I can’t finish this,” Pinecone encountered, sounding surprisingly down about the whole ordeal.
“Ok, fine. But you have to promise me that when you come back, you’ll make as many as I want! Promise it!” She grinned at him, knowing fully well that she had him exactly there where she wanted him.
“You are cheeky I must say, but well, siblings, am I right,” Phoenix laughed, looking at her with a certain amount of respect.
“Fine, I’ll promise it, but only if everything you were supposed to do is done when I’m back, got it?” He sighed before giving her a smile. In return, she just rushed past them and out of the door.
“Well, that certainly was an answer. We should get going as well,” Phoenix asked, Pinecone just nodding.
>--------------<
It didn’t take them that long until they had reached where they were supposed to meet with Ocean, just a block away from the warehouse the hint had told them. A shop owner from one of the nearby stores had noticed someone who looked a lot like Platinum leave and enter that warehouse a few times as well as someone who looked like Checkbook and even Ivory. This was nothing more than a small chance, but they had to take it.
“So, ready?” Ocean asked, looking over to her two companions who simply proceeded to activate their Drivers and insert their transformation trinkets.
\ PHILOSOPHER STONE DETECTED! /
\ SCANNING CHARGE! /
\ UNLEASHE THE MONSTER! /
“Henshin!”
\ HEUREKA! /
\ 100, 150, 200! OVER CHARGE! /
\ AWAKEN: CHIMERA! /
After they had all assumed their Rider forms, they raced towards the building, a few police officers in tow. The building looked unassuming enough, just an ordinary warehouse that looked like it had been abandoned a while ago, nothing outstanding, the perfect hiding spot.
All three dashed towards the back door of the building, hugging tightly to the wall, sharing looks before Charge nodded and slowly opened the door in front of them. It creaked, slowly swinging open. Nothing. She was the first to enter, her rifle darting across the dark hall before her, taking notice of every small little movement. With every step the pressure grew, Alchemy and Monster close behind her as they advanced ever closer into the large hall.
Then it happened, something dashed towards them, almost invisible to the human eye and jumped at Alchemy, who managed to jump back in the last possible moment, rolling backward as the monster dashed over him. He could see it, a wolf, or at least that was how it looked like, colored in red and blue, cut through in the middle. Two purple eyes stared at him. He could see the creature clad in what looked like leather armor, and as soon as it had appeared, it disappeared into something that looked like a strange hole in reality.
“Ok, we are probably right. Be careful,” he shouted towards the others who just nodded in return.
Not even a few seconds later the portal once again opened, right behind Alchemy and the Corrupted jumped out of it, grabbing ahold of the Riders shoulders before using his weight to push him forward and to the Riders shock right towards another portal that had opened in front of him. Thankfully luck was on his side, Charge managing to score a hit on the monster, letting him roar in pain and let go of Alchemy, quickly disappearing once again.
And once again, the Corrupted appeared again, right under their noses, jumping up from the floor and out of another portal, one dangerously close to their feet. But the Corrupted had not expected the fact that they now were somewhat prepared for the next attack, and the moment he reached about waist hight received a swift hit to the head. The punch was so strong that the Corrupted was pushed back into the hole he had come from.
A loud sound could be heard after the Corrupted had disappeared into the portal had again, followed by the sound of crumbling walls as the Corrupted crashed through the nearby wall. Both Alchemy and Charge dashed forward as the monster started to get back up. The moment they had reached him two more figures emerged from the whole Alkahest and Checkbook.
What neither of the two had noticed was the fact that the portal under their feet and never disappeared. And that portal would soon spat out another opponent, Chrysopoeia. The dark Rider jumped out from the hole in reality and tackled Monster to the side. Instead of screaming for the others however he had other plans, a blind rage filling his head as he saw the tormenter of his sister. “You!”
As they hit the ground, he managed to get his feet between their stomachs and kick the Rider off him, throwing him into a nearby wall and right through it. Almost like a wild animal, he dashed after him into a nearby room. He let his claws come down on the bastard, slashing crosse his armor and letting sparks fly. He was about to follow up when he received the first kick to his gut, pushing the air out of his lungs as he staggered back.
The pain in his stomach was quickly overshadowed by the new pain in his cheek that immediately followed. Letting out an angry roar he tried to retaliate, throwing his own punch in the direction of his face only for the fist to be caught in his hand. “Oh, why so angry? Was it something I did? Oh, that girl in the woods, right?” He chuckled, this only getting Monster more rilled up. “Would be a shame if anything happened to her or your precious shrine. Especially if they would be completely alone.”
At that moment Monster pushed through, sending the Rider back and following his attack up with another claw swipe across his chest, Chrysopoeia letting out a scream filled with agony. Stumbling backward he held his chest, but still continued. “Oh, you think you can just beat me here, and everything will be over? No, you have no chance of beating me, not even when you are angry. And there is no need to be angry just yet,” he laughed before a portal suddenly appeared under his feet that swallowed him faster than Monster could react, even though he lunged himself at it. Letting out a furious scream he slammed his fist on the ground, multiple cracks forming on the concrete floor beneath him.
It didn’t take long till both Phoenix and Ocean came rushing towards him. “Everything ok?” Phoenix asked, offering him a hand up.
Pinecone however just ignored his hand, shoving him to the side before storming towards his bike. “Hey! Where are you going? Did he do something?” Phoenix shouted after him, concern in his voice.
“I’ve wasted enough time here playing hero!” He barked back before storming off.
“What was that all about?” He asked rather confused, the worried undertone in his voice still present.
“I don’t know, but it can’t be good. We should probably follow him,” Ocean said in return, wrinkles forming on her forehead.
“Yeah, I couldn't agree more.”