*The Next Day*

"So, will the two of you come?"

"It has been a while and I currently don't have any assignments or projects to work on so I can spare some time to go" Riku said.

"I don't mind going but I'm not sure if I can, I haven't been to work for a few days so I really need to pick up the slack even though my boss is a good guy" Lincoln said.

"Oh yeah, I forgot he couldn't go to work at the cafe because of classes and his other job as a Kamen Rider. I know he's staying in dorms and living off the cheap cafeteria food and the meals mom makes when he's over but he still need the money to get through the day and knowing him he doesn't want to continue living off other's generosity, he's simply too good for his own good" Riku thought.

"That's a shame, mom really wanted you to come and I don't want to upset her again but I understand your reason."

"Speaking of which, considering I don't have anymore classes today I should head out to my shift."

"Alright we'll see you later."

Lincoln stood up and walked to the cafe while Riku and Usagi were alone to talk.

"At least we don't have to worry about any invasions for a little while" Riku thought.

*Meanwhile at the central government building*

Kenshi, Ako, and other government officials were in a meeting room discussing about the project and Lincoln.

"The development of project M. E. C. H. is going smoothly but in the meantime, we still need to find candidates who is worthy to use the project for and as everyone know, Cyrus will the one who makes the final decision" Ako said.

"I'm still skeptical about this, you did sneak in the details about us and the military supporting him within the agreement" another official said. The man was in his 40's and was wearing a full grey suit with black shoes and a black tie.

"You must understand, it had to be done to make sure you guys don't do anything rash and besides it works has it not?"

"... Fine, I suppose I can trust the process and on that note, who do we have lined up for the project."

Kenshi then stood up with a tablet in hand that's connect to a wide screen TV.

"We have quite a few people in mind, first up we have Sugimoto Hitsuharu *shows his picture on the screen* he has excellent combat capabilities and a natural leader who loyal to end."

"Denied, he's been known to have irrational behavior sometimes and possess a heavy drinking problem since the death of his late wife, I don't want to imagine him with the M. E. C. H. armor while drunk."

"All those in favor of letting him stay as a candidate, raise your hand." Ako said.

*Nobody raises their hand*

"Very well, Mr. Hitsuharu is out please proceed Mr. Saburo."

"Alright, then."

*Later*

After a long discussion, the list of candidates was narrowed down to five people.

"Ok to review the list now includes the following five people: Tezuka Tatsukichi, Gima Taki, Yokono Yoshikazu, Fujimura Baiko, and Matsubara Yunosuke" Kenshi said.

"I will schedule an interview with each candidate and perform a psych evaluation but ultimately it's Cyrus's decision on who gets to use M. E. C. H. and fight alongside with him" Ako said.

"If there's nothing else, then this meeting is adjourned."

*Back with Lincoln*

The scene changes back to the cafe where Lincoln is helping with the meals in the kitchen while Hayate is serving the tables and today is a busy day with customers.

"Hey Linc, I'm gonna need three omurice for table 3!" Hayate said.

"Three omurice coming up! One burger, one cutlet sandwich, and two parfaits for table 5 order up" Lincoln said.

"Wakatta!" (Translate: "Got it!")

Hayate grabbed the food and brought it over to table 5 where the people sitting there ate it happily.

"Man this absolutely superb."

"Tell me about it, I never knew Hayate hired someone who's so good at cooking."

"Hmm... I didn't either" Hayate said.

*Later*

"I appreciate that your here Lincoln."

"It's not a problem, sorry that I couldn't come in the past few days things have been crazy with the Synthoids especially with the massive invasion that happened but stuff like that won't be happening for a while."

"Oh it's quite alright but I wonder how did you end up being such a great cook."

"It's nothing special, I just helped out a lot in the kitchen back home and I learned a lot of things from my abuela er sorry grandma who was the best cook and my former father was a great chef so maybe that's a factor but I don't want it to be."

"I remember that conversation you had with that policeman that one time but I had no idea you went through that much and Ryouma never said anything about your past."

"It's fine, I'm over it I think and it wasn't Ryouma's story to tell."

"Well thanks for the help, you should head out before it gets dark and you can take something from the kitchen to eat if you want."

"Ok, it's the weekend now and I completed all my assignments already so I can relax for a bit."

Lincoln left the restaurant with a few sandwiches in a bag with him leaving Hayate to close up for the day and on the way back to the dorms, his phone starts ringing and he sees he's getting a call from Bobby.

"Hey little bro."

"Hey Bobby, how's everyone?"

"We're fine, how about you? Ronnie Anne and Sid seems protective and secretive since they had that video chat with you."

"I'm alright, nothing's going on with me and maybe those two are just worried about me."

"That's great, it's only a matter of time before Ronnie Anne and Sid get married."

"Yeah I know but it's best we don't do anything to pressure their relationship we all know what happen last something like that happened, by the way are you taking care of Charlie like I told you?"

"...Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..."

"...Bobby? Did something happen to my car?"

"...I might have left the key on the counter and Sergio took the car out in the middle of the night with his bird friends and got a few scratches on the car."

"If I wasn't in another country on the other side of the world, I would kill that damn parrot."

"Regardless, he's still considered family here and mom and abuela are currently lecturing him nonstop and he will be punished later and I'll cover the repairs."

"...*Sigh*... I guess that's enough as long he doesn't take my car again. Oh I almost forgot, I need your advice for a few small things."

"Of course, what do you need bro?"

"For starters, Nikki has been blasting my phone off nonstop."

"Oh yeah, I actually ran into her the other day. She tried to ask me for help with getting in contact with you but I quickly shut her down."

"Do you even know what did she want?"

"No but I have heard that her relationship with what's-his-name had gotten worse by a lot so I have some ideas but nothing solid."

"Should I try to bury the hatchet and see what she wants."

"I don't know bro but it's your choice and you can take your time with it."

"That brings me to the next thing, I want to know how to open up my heart again?"

"I'm not an expert but I would just say let yourself be vulnerable to your own emotions from time to time and trust others and hope they can do the same for you. I seen you become broken sometimes but whether we helped you or you help yourself, you always find a way to get back on your feet and rise up to overcome your challenges."

"Yeah you're right, thanks Bobby."

"Anytime little bro."

*Ring* *Ring*

Lincoln looked at his phone and sees that Riku's calling and puts it back to his his ear

"Bobby I gotta take another call, I'll talk to you again another time and if anyone else screw up my car again it's your ass I'm kicking."

"Ok, bye bro. Make sure you get Charlie fixed up."

"I will."

*Beep*

"Hello?"

"Hey Lincoln, I just got back to the base and we think we might have a way to track down one of the other Boosters but it's a bit of a long shot."

"Alright I'll stop by tomorrow after some R&R."

"Oh ok, I'll see you tomorrow you just rest up for the night."

*Meanwhile in the dark dimension*

Sentria was working on a few experiments in her chambers while Seras was on a medical table in the room with a couple of machinery that's either scanning her body or helping her recover.

"You're gonna have to be bedridden for a while so please don't try to move around so much even after your body recover, your extra legs on the other hand will take much longer to heal so avoid using them as much as you can."

"Ok mother, I'm sorry for causing trouble for everyone."

"I can see your intentions and what you were thinking during the battle but your methods has cost us a great deal of resources."

"I didn't think of anything else to do, he would have destroyed you and I couldn't live in a world without you."

"I know and I'm grateful for you but I made a promise when I took you in as my own flesh and blood."

"A promise? I never knew."

"It was back when you were an infant but I promise my closest friend when she died that would adopt you and raise you with care and just like how you would do anything to protect me, I would do anything to protect you dearest daughter."

*Tomorrow Morning At The Base*

"Alright Riku, what happen yesterday and what's this idea you guys have."

"Well each Booster has their own unique energy signature but still has a very similar wavelength frequency to each other but we couldn't detect any of them if they were in a coma like Calcifer. Considering how log Calicfer was in sleeping underneath the central government building I took multiple scans of any of the similar frequency around the time he was originally found which was five days after Kyoya's sacrifice and found nothing however two days later there was something but it was only for a brief moment."

"Most likely there was another Booster that appeared before falling into a coma."

"Maybe but we have no idea who it is or the exact location but either way it's crucial that we find all of the Boosters and have you awaken them like you did to me" Calcifer said.

"Where's the pinpointed estimated location."

"We triangulated the frequency to a five mile radius around the Tokyo Skytree" Ai-chan said.

"Maybe we should start at the Skytree and work around-"

*Ring* *Ring*

"Oh it's Ako."

"What does she want?"

*Beep*

"You're on speaker."

"Mr. Loud, I'm sorry to bother you but I need your assistance on choosing the final candidate for project M. E. C. H."

"Already? I thought it was gonna take some time for it to done."

"True but we still need to find someone to use it and properly test it, we have a list of five people who seems to be the best choice but you can all the time you need."

"You kinda caught us at a bad time, we were about to investigate a potential lead for another Booster around the Tokyo Skytree" Riku said.

"Is that so, like I said you can take all the time you need and considering the intense power of Calcifer I can't even imagine what's next."

"I'll stop by later and see the list but until then me and Riku has some work to do."

"Understood, I'll see you later then."

*Beep*

"So is there any other way we can find another Booster without looking for a needle in a haystack in a field of haystacks blindfolded?"

"If I'm close enough, I might be able to pick up the energy but that we back when all of us were awake."

"Good enough, you can hang in my jacket while we walk around and find clues."

"Good plan let's move, it's faster if we take the train."

*Later*

"It's been a while since I saw the view from here" Riku said.

"It's the first time I'm seeing it, the view from the plane was nice but this is better."

"Eh it's pretty much nothing when you're flying all the time" Calcifer said in Lincoln's jacket.

"Alright, the potential Booster could be anywhere so it might be faster if we split up."

"Actually I think that maybe we should stick together, we hardly spend time by ourselves outside of the usual business."

"By usual business, you mean school work, training, and fighting."

"Yeah."

"I suppose it won't hurt."

"Great, come on lets move before we ran out of daylight."

*Pulls Lincoln's arm towards her so he can follow her*

"Calcifer, does Riku seem... off to you?"

"A little, maybe something happened at that gathering yesterday at Usagi's place."

"Trust me, from a guy who once had ten sisters I can guess what happened... girl gossip."

*Meanwhile at the station*

"I KEEP TELLING YOU, I DON'T KNOW HIS REAL IDENTITY AND I PLAN TO RESPECT HIS WISHES AND FRANKLY YOU SHOULD TOO, SO STOP CALLING ABOUT IT!!!" the chief yelled on the phone.

*Slams phone*

"Chief, did something happen?" Tanaka said.

"Just some vultures from the press trying to get a scoop about Cyrus's identity."

"Can't they just focus on something else."

"That's what I said, it's all still new to us."

"What do you mean, it's been happening for a while maybe a few weeks."

"I know but it happened all so fast and a few weeks ago, all we had to worry about was the regular crime that possible through regular humans but now it's monsters from another dimension with a robotic army."

"I see, I tend to adapt quick."

"Normally I wouldn't ask but why does Cyrus keeps his face a secret."

"For starters, he hides it to protect his loved ones from being involved or getting a target on their backs and even before he already suffered a great deal of tragedy no human can even experience especially in their youth."

"He's a human like us?"

"Yeah, but out of respect for him I can't say anymore."

"You may be right but its a real headache."

"At least we don't have to worry about another attack like last time anytime soon."

*Meanwhile in another dimension*

The King and his generals had arrived just outside the large ruins on the outskirts of the kingdom.

"At last we've arrived" the King said.

"That is fortunate but there is no entrance I can see" Graves said.

"Why bother, if there's no door just make one, general Willows if you mind?" Bardo said.

General Willows attempts to create a giant hole in the walls of the ruins but when his fist came into contact a mysterious force pushed Willow's whole body back.

"Fools, the Dark Knights enchanted these ruins with a type of protection magic to prevent the ruins from collapsing on them and protect them from anyone who plans to destroy them or to awaken them" the King said.

"How are we suppose to get in then?" Willows said.

"The source that keeps the magic stable after all this time is five miles east protected by dozens of magic golems, if we destroy it we can enter."

"I don't get it why did the Dark Knights seal themselves away and prevented others to awaken them?"

"During the ancient war when my great grandfather who was the King at the time fought the first Kamen Rider, known as Kamen Rider Titan, the Knights possess extraordinary power that could dominate any enemy and bring victory in any battle with the exception of the Kamen Rider but my great grandfather attempted to betray them and steal their power for himself to defeat Titan but he failed and to prevent anyone else doing the same they sealed themselves in these very ruins, now let's hurry and destroy the source of the protection spell."

*Back with Lincoln*

"We've been at this for a while and so far nothing."

"You'd think finding a small vehicle the size of a hand would be easy to see" Riku said.

"Let's take a small break for now and recharge our energy."

"Good idea, I spotted a restaurant in the area let's head there."

The trio went to the restaurant and both Lincoln and Riku order some katsudon and since Calcifer couldn't eat like regular people, he just remained inside Lincoln's jacket.

"You know I was wondering where did you get your jacket?"

"It's a custom job, Ronnie Anne and Sid gave me this when I turned 15 as well as a long-sleeved winter version and since then I wore this as my favorite jacket and as part of my signature outfit."

"It is very cozy in here" Calcifer said.

"Calcifer, did you pick up any energy signatures at all?"

"Actually, I thinking I'm detecting something nearby but it's very very faint."

"How about you go on and fly ahead to see if get a stronger reaction, we'll catch up."

The trio paid for their food and left the restaurant before Calcifer flew in the direction of the faint energy signature he detected leaving Riku and Lincoln alone for a bit.

"So Riku..."

"Hmm?"

"You've been a little off since yesterday, did something with Usagi at her place or maybe anyone else there."

*Avoids eye contact with Lincoln*

"...I'm not sure what your talking about."

"This is just a guess but in my experience, most likely there was a lot of gossip with girls over there, am I wrong?"

"......Noooooo."

*Flashback*

"Alright Riku, what's your honest opinion of one Lincoln Loud?" Asami said.

"Eh? Well, he's my friend and we work together sometimes."

"Oh come on, the way you two are always together suggests that the two of you are dating or at very least one or both of you like each other" Usagi said.

"Maybe I shouldn't have come." Riku thought.

"Now there's no shame in liking someone, it's natural for youngsters your age."

"I mean, Lincoln is a good guy and I kinda like him just a little but he's not ready for another relationship after he's been hurt and scarred in more ways than one multiple times and I don't want ruin our current relationship as friends."

"Has he really been through that much?"

"Trust me, considering what he'd told me you can't even begin imagine the trauma he's been through especially when he was a kid but it's not my story to tell."

"Listen Riku, if you really like him then take a chance and take it slow too but what's important is that you embrace your feelings towards him before someone else takes him, maybe someone new or an old flame that reignited a spark."

*Flashback ends*

"I assure you there's nothing that you should be concerned about."

*Looks at the readers*

"Yeah right, I been through this at least a few times but I'm gonna play it safe for the both of us."

*Looks back at Riku*

"Alright, if you say so."

The two of them then sees Calcifer flying back at them quickly.

"It a bit far for walking distance but I manage to trace the energy signature back to some old antique shop" Calcifer said.

*Pulls out remote*

"It's been a while since I had to use this but if it's far we're gonna need the bike."

The three of them moved to an empty alley while Lincoln pushed some buttons on the remote to get the motorcycle to autopilot itself to their position in disguised mode. After waiting for a few minutes, the motorcycle arrived disguised as a black Honda Goldwing but with a realistic holographic driver on it dressed in a full black leather motorcycle suit and helmet to make sure nobody is suspicious that it was driving on autopilot.

*Turns off driver hologram*

"Reminds me of Arcee from Transformers: Prime, lead the way Calcifer."

Lincoln and Riku hopped onto the bike and followed Calcifer to the antique shop.

"This is where the mysterious Booster is?" Riku said.

"I wasn't able to go inside to confirm but this is definitely where the dormant energy signature is strongest" Calcifer said.

"Riku, you know what the Booster actually look like other than a small vehicle so I'm relying on you to be my eyes."

"Alright, Calcifer you mind staying in Lincoln's jacket again?"

"Sure."

*Enters shop*

"Hello. Welcome. Feel free to look around for anything that peaks your interests."

The two of them started to look around the shop until they reached the back area where Riku finally spots it on a shelf, like Calcifer it was a small vehicle but it was an army-green tank instead.

"Found it!"

"You sure that's the Booster? Looks like an vintage toy to me."

"Positive, I remember every Booster my brother used back in the day."

"It's true Lincoln, this is Alexander, the Armor Booster" Calcifer said.

"Considering what happened when I woke you up, Riku's hanging on to it until we get back to the base."

*Meanwhile with the King and his generals*

"At last, we have arrived" the King said.

The four of them are now standing before an altar with magic ruins at its base with a large crystal floating on top in the middle but bounded by chains.



(Something like this, too lazy to draw something myself. Original link: https://www.artstation.com/artwork/J9Lwyd)

"I thought you said it was protected by golems." Graves said.

"The moment we get close, they will awaken and we will be immediately surrounded. Prepare for a tough fight."

The King was proven right and the magic golems did awaken the moment they were a few feet away from the altar and each of them used their unique traits to defeat as many as they could with Willows using his monstrous strength, Bardo with martial arts and fighting techniques, Graves with his incredible speed and sharp blade, and the King with his god-like power. Eventually after a while of constant battle, all of the golems stopped moving and the king used his power to destroy the crystal and the four of them proceeded back towards the ruins.

"I expected a bigger challenge." Bardo said.

"Screw you Bardo, my blade is gonna need a bit of sharpening when we get back." Graves said.

*Back with the base with Lincoln*

Riku placed the unconscious Alexander on the hologram table and prepared a face shield, gloves, and a fire extinguisher.

"Ready?"

"Ready."

Just like before, Lincoln touched Alexander which created a spark of electricity and transferred his own energy into him waking him up from his coma, this time instead of a burst of fire Alexander flipped up into the air and landed back down which cracked the hologram table.

"What the?" Alexander said in a deep voice. (Think something like Krim Steinbelt's voice from Kamen Rider Drive.)

"Alexander? Are you alright now?" Calcifer said.

"Calcifer-kun?... Riku-chan?... Hm? Who's this?"

"Lincoln Loud, the new Kamen Rider, Cyrus."

"Kamen Rider? How long was I out?"

"It's been 7 years since I you guys." Riku said.

"7 years, that means Riku lost Kyoya during the same year of the incident..." Lincoln thought.

The three of them explained everything that had happened over the past few weeks to Alexander and Lincoln even told his story about the one day journey to another dimension and the bad luck incident.

"I missed out on quite a bit. Not to worry, I'm here now to help and if the others trust you as a friend and as a Kamen Rider, I can trust you too Lincoln."

"Alright, let's work together from now on."

"If you enjoyed my powers, you're gonna like him." Calcifer said.

"How about the three of you hang out upstairs in the living room while I repair the hologram table." Riku said.

*Later in the dark dimension*

General Willows finally managed to destroy the same wall before and then the four of them entered the ruins to see six different statues around the edge of the room they entered.

"Statues?" Graves said.

"Fascinating, these aren't just statues for they are the Dark Knights themselves sealed in stone." The King said.

"Another type of magic spell? How can we undo it?"

"With the original source of the protection magic destroyed, it'll be a very simple matter. Brace yourselves."

The King approached the center of the room and raised his fist to enchant it with a large amount of dark energy and slammed it down releasing that energy around the room and having the statues absorbing it. The statues began to shake and crack until the stone shattered off their bodies and releasing them from the seals.

"Raaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!" all of the Dark Knights screamed.

"Oh great Dark Knights, I am King Nalos, the current king of the Synthoid empire and I ask for your aid. Now arise... Sir Aries..."



"... Sir Grim..."



"... Sir Zakros..."



"... Lady Ragnok..."



"... Lady Satvar..."



"... And lastly... Lady Pyra..."



"What do you need our help with?" Sir Grim said.

"The latest generation of the very same Kamen Rider that defeated our kind long ago goes by the name of Cyrus but what's interesting is how he is not of the Kasami family." Graves said.

"How do we know you won't betray us like the king of our time before?" Lady Pyra said.

"I am not my grandfather, I am begging for your aid." King Nalos said.

"We have already attempted to destroy Cyrus with our army but he won easily and now we lack the ability to invade until after a certain amount of time."

The Dark Knights looked at each other and all of them nodded.

"We shall help you." all six of them said.

-To Be Continued-