[Aurorita]

Horseshoes and Hand-grenades

III: 19-25-19-20-5-13 19-8-15-3-11

"Who should I trust less? An impostor claiming to be that monster, or the monster herself?"

—Dr. Marie Delacroix, System Shock 2

"Mother...Father..."

Gentaro saw the white silhouettes of his parents waiting for him at the end of the Cosmic Energy Tunnel. He hadn't seen them for so long—he knew that they were waiting to see him again. Tears fell down his face as he slowly approached them.

"Gentaro..." That was his mother. He remembered all of the times she read him stories at night, or how the two would go for ramen at the noodle stands during the winter. Everyone always commented that he had his mother's smile, and it was true. His smile was very uplifting.

"My son..." That was his father. Gentaro recalled all the times that the two would play "Rocket and Meteor Shower", with the father being the meteor shower of pillows as Gentaro would run around in a giant cardboard box with Yuki along for the ride. There was also that time where Gentaro fell down a tree and his father caught him just in time, joking that Gentaro was an alien who crashed his spaceship into the tree. These memories...Gentaro hadn't recalled them in so long.

"Wait for me!" said Gentaro, running toward them. "Wait for me! I'm coming!"

With each step down the tunnel, he could see more and more features of his parents. Their faces, their state of dress, the injuries...the blood...His feet continued to move as more and more of his parents were seen. Gentaro was so close. He was going to see them once more!

"Do you really want to see them as they are?" a voice hissed in his ear.

Gentaro stopped running when he heard that question. The Cosmic Energy tunnel faded to black, and he was alone in a featureless void.

"Who's there?" He asked, looking around. "What do you want? Where are you?!"

"Here I am..."The voice hissed behind Gentaro. He turned around and gasped when he saw who answered his question. It was him, with red eyes and black slit pupils, a wicked and cruel smile gracing the doppleganger's lips. The doppelganger dispersed and a giant black serpent stared at Gentaro eye to eye.

"Who are you?" asked Gentaro. He then shook his head. "No...what are you?"

"I am a guardian of lost souls," The voice replied. "I am Ophiuchus, the Serpent-bearer. I only appear for those who have destinies and for those who have lost their way."

"Lost their way? But I haven't..."

"You have. You died...you didn't live up to your parents' expectations. You were supposed to make friends that would help you when you fell. They would be the one to save you...correct?"

"And I did make friends." Gentaro stared into the serpent's giant red eyes, a hand on his heart. "I found the Kamen Rider Club where my friends and I could fight off the Zodiarts and save Amanogawa High from monsters that our fellow students would become. We saved so many people from themselves, and we befriended them. What we did was right, and I never lost my way in doing the right thing."

"You did the right thing, but you also made a fatal error. You did not realize that you were being deceived. The mortal known as Ryusei Sakuta betrayed you and your friends did not save you in time. They stood there so you could die. If they were your friends, they would've made sure to stop Ryusei from landing the killing blow.

"Take your psychic friend for example...Tomoko, was it? She had the sixth sense to note that something was up with Ryusei. You put so much faith in her abilities when it came to transforming into a Roman Candle or a living paintbrush, but why did you ignore her instincts when it came to Ryusei?" Ophiuchus stuck his tongue out at Gentaro. "I know why...you wanted to show that you could befriend everyone. But you couldn't see Ryusei for who he truly was, and it has landed you in the afterlife. Such a shame too-now you won't be able to fulfill your promise to your parents. You made them very, very disappointed."

"I...disappointed them?" Gentaro's voice fell into a whisper, his eyes still deep within the stare of the serpent's own. "I...no...I didn't..."

"You did, Kisaragi. And besides, you haven't been fulfilling your promise. 'I shall be the one to befriend everyone in Amanogawa High.' You didn't extend your hand of friendship to Makise, Toriizaki or Kijima. I didn't see you help Nonomura from the supply closet you dumped him in...no, you only choose the people you want to befriend and everyone else gets cast aside. Do you truly befriend everyone? Or are there just some people that aren't worthy of your time?

"No!" Gentaro's eyes began to water. He placed a hand close to his no longer beating heart. "I befriended everyone...I promised Mom and Dad...and...and..."

"Who did you promise more? You or your parents? Did you ever think that maybe you didn't want to befriends everyone? What do you want? Who do you choose to be? Think Kisaragi, you know it's true. You can create an army to fight for you, or use your knowledge of the human mind to bend people to your will. Instead, you waste it on meaningless connections and bonds. If you side with me, I can help you where your friends did not."

"Like I'd do that!" Gentaro screamed. "My friends will come for me...I trust them! They'd never let me down! They'll stop Aries Zodiarts!"

"I sense doubt in your mind, little one. Perhaps I should show you what happens after Ryusei gets his way...your little club can't function without you now, can it?"

The scene changed. Gentaro found himself in the Rabbit Hatch. He wanted to say hello to everyone and to tell them that he was alright...instead, he found everyone arguing against one another. There were no signs of the group comforting one another after the trauma of seeing him die; there was nothing but fear, anger and hatred.

"You were supposed to use your sixth sense to sense something wrong!" Miu screamed at a shivering Tomoko. "What happened to that, huh?!"

"Why the hell didn't you use that gossip broker skill of yours to dig up dirt on Sakuta, JK?!" Shun screamed. He tackled the gossip broker against the wall of the Rabbit Hatch. JK could only gasp in pain before Shun grabbed onto his hair. "I thought you knew everyone in the entire school!"

"You think saying 'Stop!' was going to prevent Sakuta from killing him, Jojima?!" Kengo screeched at Yuki, grabbing onto her arms. The space otaku's eyes were filled with tears as Kengo started to shake her. "What kind of friend are you?!"

Gentaro could only watch as Miu trashed Tomoko's small corner in the Rabbit Hatch, gasp as Shun prepared to smash JK's guitar over the party-goer's head, and nearly cried at seeing Kengo ripping apart Yuki's books about space. Everything escalated into madness. He saw Ohsugi screaming and disbanding the club before confronting Gamou about the Kamen Rider Club. He saw his friends acting as they were back when he arrived Amanogawa. Shun was the jerk jock, Miu was the Queen Bee, JK was a dirty coward backstabbing his friends. All of his work was for nothing, and he hated it.

"Stop it!" Gentaro yelled, grabbing onto his head. "I CAN'T TAKE IT! STOP IT NOW!"

He fell onto his knees and began to sob, tears falling down his face and splashing onto the ground. Ophiuchus sighed and coiled his body around the dead teen. The scenery faded away into darkness, the only sounds that could be heard were Gentaro's cries of pain and agony.

"There, there..." The serpent hissed. "I know that it looks painful, but it doesn't have to be." Flicking his tongue out, Ophiuchus caught the tears falling down Gentaro's face."I know how to prevent this tragedy. I know how to take away your pain."

"Y-you do?" Gentaro sniffled. He had never felt so alone until now...was this what it felt like? And here was someone who could help him...deep down, he knew the truth. He was glad to be of help for Ryusei, but at what cost? How far did he have to go in order to make people happy? How much pain did he have to endure for people's happiness? In fact, what constituted a smile? A smile on someone evil and sadistic...are they happy because of that?

His mind ran in circles, trying to understand his actions and what he had done. Ophiuchus nuzzled against Gentaro and hissed once more.

"You can't make everyone happy without making you happy first. To make yourself happy, you need to focus on stuff that will make you smile."

"Me...?" asked Gentaro, staring into Ophiuchus's red eyes. "But...I'm happy when I help people..."

"Is that so? But you can't do that if you're in this state right?"

"N-no...what do I do?"

"Well...I have been feeling so sad and lonely without something to eat...If you can give me that, I'll give you your heart's desire..."

"My heart's...desire?" Gentaro repeated, his mind drifting away and falling deep into Ophiuchus's stare. His eyes were tinted red as he nodded. "I...I..."

"Yes? What do you need, Gentaro Kisaragi?"

"I...need you."

If Ophiuchus had lips, they would be in a smile stretching from ear to ear. He slithered around Gentaro and continued to whisper words of deceit into his mind.

"I am the only one that can make you happy and fill your empty soul with what you truly desire...I'll make your parents proud of you and the error of your friend's ways. These 'friends' should've helped you, but they failed. And you failed in your promise to make friends with everyone at Amanogawa High..."

As Gentaro continue to hear the words, his whole body began to relax. His eyes were as empty as his soul, no longer filled with the optimism and hope he carried in the past. Now, there was just desire-a desire for darkness and hatred.

"As long as you listen to my words, you will no longer have to think about such trivial matters. These thoughts have caused you so much pain and made you cry, and men like you should not cry over petty subjects.¨Ophiuchus saw Gentaro slowly nodding his head in reply. "By obeying me, you and I shall become one. My body is yours, and your body is mine. My thoughts become your thoughts. You will never be betrayed by the ones you have put your utmost faith into. All you must focus on is being with me, Gentaro Kisaragi. No, my Serpent-bearer."

"Serpent-bearer..." Gentaro repeated, his mind and eyes falling into slumber. "Your thoughts...my thoughts..."

"That is correct. The Serpent-bearer is the one who lives longer than all of the mortals, for he has obtained immortality. The Serpent-bearer is the entity who tames the serpents and controls them. The Serpent-bearer is the one who breeds sin and darkness into the hearts of innocent people. And who exactly is this being? That is you, Gentaro Kisaragi. You are the Serpent-bearer."

"I am the Serpent-bearer. I am the Serpent-bearer..."

The routine continued for an indefinite amount of time. Time was meaningless for one who was no longer living. Ophiuchus continued to bombard Gentaro with his commands ("The Serpent-bearer is the one who lays hands on the lost serpents. The Serpent-bearer does not think thoughts that would hurt him; he only relishes for the safety and comfort of the darkness.). Gentaro repeated everything that he was told, losing himself more and more into this strange entity. Then, after Ophiuchus finished his mind-control mantra, Gentaro Kisaragi spoke.

"...master," He whispered, placing a hand on his heart. He lightly tapped his chest and then extended his hand out. "I give my heart to you as sacrifice."

Ophiuchus grinned once more.

"Excellent." The serpent hissed. "In return, I shall give you my power so you can walk among humans once more. You shall be bound to me forever more, my Serpent-bearer."

Ophiuchus opened his mouth, revealing his large, poisonous fangs. He drew back before diving straight into Gentaro's chest. Gentaro didn't feel any pain—he was dead, after all—but just placed his fingers near the hole where his heart used to be. He didn't feel pain, nor did he feel worried about giving his heart to this monster. It didn't matter anymore; it was necessary to banish all thoughts about human emotions out of his mind. The Serpent-bearer did not care for such things, after all.

Ophiuchus bit deep into Gentaro's bleeding heart, swallowing it whole. The serpent let out a deep laugh as the heart was slowly digested inside him.

"This heart contains so much potential...it is delicious," He said to Gentaro. "And now it's time for me to complete my end of the bargain. Open your mouth as wide as possible and keep still, Serpent-bearer. This might hurt just a bit."

The snake transformed into a cloud of Cosmic Energy. It swirled around Gentaro's heartless body and entered through his mouth. Gentaro stayed perfectly still, feeling the snake forcing himself through his lips. The hole in his heart began to heal, the blood flowing backward from his veins and bleaching his skin into the color of alabaster. He fell onto his hands and knees as Ophiuchus forced himself down more and more, his serpentine body widening the boy's throat and esophagus until the tail was no longer flailing around outside of the Serpent-bearer's mouth. Gentaro kept quiet. The Serpent-bearer was not given any thought, command or reason, to be alarmed at its master becoming one with him. He stayed still and let his master's words soothe his soul and wash away all of the sadness that he went through in the last hour (hour? was it really that long since he died? The Serpent-bearer only knew that he was going to awaken soon) until all that was left was a being with a sense of purpose.

Gentaro collapsed onto the ground, hands close to his neck as he swallowed the last of the snake into his stomach. Once he felt the Ophiuchus was one with him, he smiled. He could feel his master deep within his mind and around his body, calming him and soothing his soul with those sweet words. All of the pain that he suffered washed away; he would be reborn.

"Wake up, my little Serpent-bearer..." said Ophiuchus. "A new day awaits us. But first, let us kill the one that instigated our death..."

"Yes, Master," Gentaro replied, closing his eyes. He smiled, a pair of fangs clamped onto his lower lip. "Yamada Tatsumori shall die by our hands."

0-0-0-0-0-0-

When Ryusei opened his eyes, he thought he would find himself in a dark and cold prison where he would be trapped for all eternity. Instead, he found himself floating around in space. This wasn't the Dark Nebula that Virgo promised to send him to. And if so, why was he sent here in the first place? Something didn't add up...

Turning to his left, he saw a chain of letters that read M-BUS. Something clicked in his mind. He was the M-BUS Station where Tachibana and the one thatgave him 'permission' to transform into Kamen Rider Meteor. That feeling of deja vu became strong just by seeing the four letters in front of him.

He looked around and noticed two figures asleep in some sort of capsule. He proceeded to 'swim' toward them so he could get a better look. When he got close, he gasped. One of them was a woman with long brown hair tucked behind a hairband and dressed in a white blouse, coat and brown pencil skirt. The other was a boy his age, with black hair and dressed in a black coat. Realization hit. In front of him were the sleeping forms of Sarina Sonada and Natsuji Kijima.

"What the-?" he didn't finish his question as he saw someone teleport behind him. He turned around, seeing Virgo Zodiarts—no, Tachibana—approaching him.

"I have placed Sarina Sonada, the Scorpion Zodiarts and Natsuji Kijima, the Cancer Zodiarts, here to protect them from his intentions," the benefactor explained. "Ryusei, I have been keeping something from you ever since I handed you the Meteor Driver. I believe it is time that you learn the truth.""

"Like what?!" Ryusei growled. "You tricked me! You've been using me to fulfill your own dirty agenda this whole time!"

"If you would let me explain, then you will understand why I brought you here. Please, Ryusei," Tachibana lifted his gaze toward Ryusei. "Trust in me."

Ryusei wanted to punch Tachibana in the face for all that he's done. Then, he stopped. Tachibana had a point - the only one who invoked the deal with Aries Zodiarts to kill Gentaro was Ryusei. The former Kamen Rider could do nothing but sigh in defeat.

"All right," he said. "I'll play along. What do you have to say?"

"This is something I wanted to hold back on for quite some time," Tachibana began. "I don't want you to ask anything until I explain in detail what I know."

"And what's that?"

Tachibana stayed quiet for a moment or two, trying to find the right words. Then, he finally spoke."

"Ryusei Sakuta," he said. "You were not born of this Earth. You are a Core Child."

0-0-0-0-0-

Back on the rooftop once more, Gentaro stood in front of his first slave with delight. The employees of the hospital didn't pay heed to the sleeping 'form' that was substituting for the sick and resting Kengo Utahoshi, and were already busy with the sick and elderly patients. Instead, Kengo Utahoshi knelt in front of his master, dressed as if he was a slave in the deserts of Egypt. Black markings circled his eyes, golden jewelry decorated his arms, and the only articles of clothing on him was a starched linen tunic going down to his knees and a pair of sandals. A "fitting uniform" for one who served the Gods, as Ophiuchus stated. Kengo was oblivious to the outfit that was forced upon him. His mind was filled with the soothing voice of the serpent telling him to kneel in front of his masters to ensure absolute loyalty.

Gentaro, having his fill of Cosmic Energy, fiddled with the light yellow Switch 24-Medical that he had in his hand. He tossed it into the air and laughed, seeing how the switch became useless now that he had Ophiuchus to heal him. The Medical switch, with its Cosmic Energy based medicine, was now designed for emergency rations of Cosmic Energy. It other words, was basically nothing more than a goblet of ambrosia for him alone. He caught the descending switch in his hands before approaching Kengo. Kengo still did not reply, still stuck in his trance-like state.

"Master would not choose you to become a serpent unless you were of some importance," he said to his former friend. "He calls you the 'Core Child'; do you have any understanding of what that means?"

"..." Kengo didn't say anything, his lips sealed shut. This made Gentaro frown.

"Well?" he approached the kneeling slave and pushed him onto his back with a foot. He placed his foot over Kengo's chest and snarled. "You have permission to talk, Utahoshi."

"..I have no understanding, my Master." Kengo replied, his voice empty and hollow. "Please forgive me for my lack of data involving the information that you ask. I promise to make myself more useful and gather data for next time. Command me and I shall obey."

He tells the truth, Serpent-bearer, Ophiuchus whispered in Gentaro's mind. He has no idea on who he truly is. This is good. This is very, very good.


Gentaro removed his foot and helped Kengo stand up. Kengo, still dizzy and drowsy from the venom, dropped to his knees and bowed his head in an act of fealty.

"It's alright, Utahoshi," said Gentaro, a hand on his friend's shoulder. "If you do not know, you do not know. You are forgiven...for now."

"Thank you, Master Ophiuchus and Serpent-bearer," Kengo replied, his voice filled with happiness in hearing his masters forgive him. "What is your next command? What is your will, my masters?"

Rest for now, Apep. Ophiuchus answered back. Let the mortal doctors do their check-ups on you. Once everything has been squared away, meet up with us after school has ended for the day for your next assignment.

"As you wish, Master Ophiuchus," Kengo replied. "I shall leave post haste."

A black rune circle appeared beneath his feet, teleporting him out of sight. Once they were alone, Ophiuchus materialized near his Serpent-bearer, sticking his forked tongue to the teen.

Our plan is starting to progress...he said. For now, let us rest.


"This body must obtain nourishment of the human kind or we shall waste away," Gentaro replied. He licked his lips in hunger. "Shall we head off to find something to eat?"

"If we are to do that, we must disguise ourselves. Your tendency to make a multitude of friends will backfire on us should someone recognize who we are. It is time we learn another spell to use. Stand up and repeat the word."

Gentaro stood up and crossed his hands over his stomach. His eyes began to glow, his body covered in a multitude of prismatic scales.

"Pictor," he said, watching as the scales began to fuse with his body.

0-0-0-0-0-0-

Ryusei stayed silent. He wanted to comment on him being this 'Core Child', but he promised Tachibana that he'd listen all the way to the end. Taking a deep breath, he sealed his lips shut and nodded his head. Tachibana took that as his cuee to continue.

"Seventeen years ago, I found the item known as the Core Switch on the Moon's surface," Tachibana explained. "It was unlike anything I had ever seen. My partners and I learned that it was gift from a race of beings unlike our own. It was crafted to test us, to see if we were ready to meet them."

"Is that when you created the Anti-Zodiarts Federation?" asked Ryusei.

"I am getting there. One of my partners tried to duplicate the Core Switch by using Cosmic Energy. Unfortunately, he became corrupted by the Switch's powers and soon created the beings known as the Zodiarts. Realizing that my friend was long gone, I escaped with my research notes and became what you see now. It was at that time that I found something astounding: when I touched the Core Switch, it created you."

"Me?" Ryusei gasped, placing a hand over his heart. "How is that possible?"

"I still have no understanding as to how that happened," Tachibana answered. "However, that did not make me want to take care of you any less. I raised you in secret for all of those years before sending you off to Subaruboshi High."

"Where I became friends with Jiro, and then you gave me the Meteor Driver." said Ryusei, slowly piecing things together. "That leaves me with one important question, though - who gave Jiro the Zodiarts Switch?"

"I'm not sure myself, but I do know that you are in serious danger. With your identity exposed, the Horoscope Generals now know who Meteor truly is. What will you do now?"

Ryusei looked at the Meteorswitch in his hand and closed his eyes. This was all his fault, that much he knew. The only thing he didn't know was how to make everything right again. He let out a deep sigh.

"I'll do what ever it takes to fix this," he answered. "Tachibana, give me another chance."

The masked man stared into Ryusei's eyes as he contemplated the situation. There was still a chance to fix things if they acted fast, and there was no use dwelling in the past. The only thing they could do now was move forward. He nodded his head.

"Very well, Ryusei," he said. "I need you to do something for me."

"What's that?" asked Ryusei, seeing Tachibana remove his helmet. "I said I'd do anything."

"Look deep into my eyes and fall into a never-ending sleep."

From underneath the helmet, Ryusei saw two reds orbs staring at him. He swallowed a lump in his throat and began to stare back. Tachibana continued to whisper some strange words that made him calm down, and slow his breathing. His eyelids became heavy and it was getting hard to keep them up.

"That's right," Tachibana whispered. "Just let everything go. Keep listening to my voice and find yourself in your happy place. Everything will be fine."

"Everything will be fine," Ryusei repeated, finally letting his eyes close. The last image he saw before everything went back was Gentaro Kisaragi extending his hand out in friendship.

0-0-0-0-0-

"Hayami!"

Kouhei Hayami was thrown back against the wall in pain. Standing in front of him was Gamou's personal assistant, Ko Tatsugami. The tall man was currently manipulating walnuts in his hand, a proud smirk on his face.

"You failed in completing a simple task," he began. "All you had to do was to bring Ophiuchus to him and you'd be forgiven for your failures. Too bad..." Tatsugami crushed the walnuts in his hand, blowing the remains in front of the principal's face. Hayami spat out the walnut chunks in disgust.

"You try fighting him without any prior knowledge of his skills," the principal said sarcastically. "I'm sure you'll be able to win, no problem."

"Having some lip, are we? Well, maybe you should listen to this. You have one more chance in being useful to Gamou. Should you fail, you'll be-"

"What? Sent to the Dark Nebula?" Hayami scoffed. "At least Sonada will keep me company in that cold, empty abyss."

"You will die by Master Gamou's hands," Tatsugami chuckled, shaking his head. "I'm sure you know about how he brainwashes meddling detectives, but..."

"But what?"

"Have you ever thought to yourself that Master Gamou could use it besides erasing memories? Maybe he'll make you kill yourself with a gun to the temple. Or maybe he'll force you to drop in front of the school and die when you hit the ground. If you don't shape up now, I can imagine you taking that fancy letter opener on your desk to commit seppuku for all to see. Just remember, you can easily be replaced at any time.

"Do take care, Hayami...you only have a few days left in this world."

Tatsugami dumped the remains of the cracked walnuts onto the principal's head before walking off, pulling out a few more walnuts from his pocket. Hayami groaned as he slid up against the wall. He slammed his fists in anger; this was that stupid Kamen Rider's fault! If if wasn't for Fourze butting in allthe times, things would progress smoothly! No matter what he did, that stupid boy and those stupid friendship speeches always stopped him from completing his job!

Damn it...He thought to himself. If only I was stronger...if only I had that power! I'd show that stupid lion who's better! I'd show Gamou what I could really do! I would NEVER be the butt of everyone's jokes ever again! They'd be bowing at my feet before I'd bow down to theirs!

You want power...? A voice hissed in his ear. I can give you that power...if you're willing to bargain...

Hayami saw the shadows closing up on him, wrapping him in a tight embrace before suffocating him in an inky smog of darkness.

0-0-0-0-0-

Ryusei was fast asleep, his wrists and ankles strapped to an operating table. Injected into his arm was an IV Line with black energy coursing through his veins. Covering his ears was a set of earphones shaped like large blue spikes. An oxygen mask covered his nose and mouth, but otherwise he looked fine.

Tachibana stared at the monitors carefully. He could not mess this up now. What Ryusei did was unforgivable, but there was no chance in fixing it. Gentaro was alive now, and he was now a bigger threat than the Zodiarts combined.

Ryusei listened to the words drilling into his subconscious, softly repeating the commands in his sleep. As he did, he slowly opened his eyes. Instead of their usual shade of blue, they were now the color of coal. He smiled.

I am Ryusei Sakuta. He thought to himself. I am the Core Child.