It has been a few weeks since Lincoln and the others had defeated Brimgor and so far nothing else has been happening with the Synthoid army. Ryu and Aruto returned to their regular daily lives and same with Lincoln but his mind couldn't help but think about the concert coming up in a few weeks. Meanwhile, Seras was still in the wild within the city with remaining undetected by anyone. She had made a report to the king about Brimgor's defeat and how she decided to stick around on earth for a while before returning. At long last, she had finally made up her mind about what to do regarding Pyra, Ragnok, and her mothers, Sentria and Orchid. She managed to open up a nearby portal and jumped through, the moment she had entered her dimension the first face she met with was Lady Satvar leaning against the wall.

"I see that you've return. Did you finally get through your personal problems?"

"Not yet but I'm about to, that's why I've return today."

"I see, let it be said that whatever relationship you have with Pyra or Ragnok doesn't concern me and I would rather not to get involved with that or you for that matter."

"I appreciate the statement Lady Satvar, I think."

"Take no offense Seras, I'm simply not into other girls. At any rate, I shouldn't keep you for any longer."

With that said, Satvar left to deal with her own business while Seras went to Sentria's lab and met the others in there. Sentria and Orchid were working on creating the next and newest Synthoid while Ragnok was fixing up her weapons and armor and Pyra was being tied up in the corner. The moment they saw her, all of their worries vanished and were tempted to immediately approached her but held themselves back as a reflection of their previous actions and the reason why Seras had run off earlier.

"Seras..." Orchid was the first to speak, her voice trembling with a mix of relief and guilt.

Sentria's tools clattered onto the table as she turned, her expression unreadable. Even Ragnok paused, her weapon slipping from her hands as she stared at Seras with something resembling regret. Pyra, however, was the only one who didn't seem surprised. A wry smirk crossed her lips, despite her bindings.

"Back from your little adventure, huh? Did Earth treat you better than we ever did?" Pyra drawled, her voice dripping with attempted seduction.

"I'm not even gonna bother answering that. Point is, I'm back, and I've made my decision." Seras said simply, her tone firm but calm.

The room remained silent, the weight of her words sinking in. None of them dared approach her, the memory of why she had left still fresh in their minds. They had all been complicit in driving her away, whether through their actions, their decisions, or their silence.

"I'm not here for apologies, and I'm not here to forgive you. Not yet. I'm here because I believe there's still a chance for you to earn my trust back one step at a time." Seras continued, her voice steady.

She turned her attention to Lady Ragnok, her eyes hardening.

"Starting with you."

"Ok, if you want me to do something just say it and I will."

"I was hoping you would say that, first off, no more suddenly hugging me and expressing your love right in front of everyone else like before. Second off, I'm willing to give this... whatever this is between us... a chance, but it's going to be on my terms, and at my pace. No more pushing, no more surprises. We take it slow, and we figure this out one step at a time. Can you do that?" Seras said, her cheeks faintly flushed, though her voice remained firm.

Ragnok blinked, her expression shifting from shock to something softer, hopeful, even. She nodded quickly, a rare smile breaking through her usually tough demeanor.

"Yeah, I can do that. I'll do whatever it takes." Ragnok said, her voice quieter than usual.

"Good, because if you force yourself on me like before, we're done. No second chances. I'll even find a way to destroy you if I have to." Seras said with a small nod.

"I understand." Ragnok said, her tone earnest.

Seras stepped back, giving Ragnok a bit of space. The room remained silent, the others watching the interaction unfold before Seras turned towards her mothers.

"As you the two of you, we're gonna need to talk about recent events and to move forward from that."

"I'm ok with that." Sentria said.

"Very well." Orchid said.

"Hey Seras, what about me?" Pyra asked.

"I don't know, I'm still a bit upset about what you did to me."

"I promise not to mind control you again."

"Yeah I can't trust that promise or any promise from you."

*Meanwhile with Lincoln*

Currently, Lincoln wandering around the city with no particular goal in mind. He had already finished all of his work for college for the week in advance and Hayate's cafe was closed at the moment while he tries out some of the recipes Lincoln gave him, with nothing to do he decided to head to Akihabara and give it a try. Lincoln walked through the bustling streets of Akihabara, the vibrant energy of the area providing a welcome distraction from his thoughts. He had been looking forward to this outing, an opportunity to unwind and explore one of the liveliest parts of the city. Neon signs blinked above him, advertising everything from arcades to rare collectibles, and the smell of street food wafted through the air. He paused in front of a small shop displaying retro video games in the window. A grin crossed his face as he stepped inside, the nostalgia hitting him immediately. Rows of old consoles and cartridges lined the walls, and Lincoln found himself drawn to a section featuring games he hadn't seen since he was a kid even before the bad luck incident. He wanted to buy a copy of a classic fighting game but then he realized that it's not compatible with his console in his dorm and the one that is compatible is back home in Great Lakes. He left the retro game store and wandered around until he found anime store that caught his interest, as he browse the aisles, his phone buzzed in his pocket. Pulling it out, he saw an incoming call from Kenshi as he put the game back before stepping outside to answer the call.

"Yeah?"

"Hello Lincoln, what are you up to right now?"

"Taking a break today, I'm currently in Akihabara right now. Need something?"

"Kinda, do you mind helping out with training the recruits a bit. We're kinda being rushed to find someone for the project M.E.C.H. and I feel like you can really help with that but if you're occupied, I can handle it with Ako."

"Hey don't worry about it, I'll swing by shortly. Let me just handle something real quick."

"Alright, see you soon at the base from before."

As Lincoln slid his phone back into his pocket, he headed back in the store to buy a quick figurine before hopping on his bike and drove towards the military base.

*Later*

Lincoln arrived at the base and he was already transformed, the familiar sight of towering structures and rows of recruits sparring in the open field coming into view. The hum of machinery and the sharp commands of officers filled the air as he parked his bike and made his way inside. Kenshi was already waiting for him near the entrance, clipboard in hand, looking as focused as ever.

"Thanks for coming, Lincoln."

"Hey don't worry about it. Is Ako around to help today?"

"No she's stuck in a meeting about this, the higher-ups are breathing down our necks for progress. We need solid fighters with a certain mindset, not just any ordinary soldier in the military."

"It's alright I get it, it's like the recruitment scene from the first Men in Black movie."

"I don't know if the comparison's the same but those recruits from last time needs that need some serious guidance, especially the guy that you believe had the most potential."

"Oh yeah, Seika Yoichi right?"

"Yeah that's the guy. Anyways, I figured you'd be the right person to whip them into shape."

"It's been a while, remind me what were their names again?"

"Aside from Seika, the 10 other recruits who passed the test from before and were able to stay within the program are: Josuke Kamata, Kyoji Ozawa, Shiba Seno, Toyoharu Okino, Natsuo Kuramoto, Toshiaki Yano, Iako Fukaya, Reisa Ubukata, Miya Tokuda, Shina Ide."

Lincoln nodded, mentally noting down the names again.

"Alright, let's see what they've got. I'll start with some endurance drills and then move on to combat assessment."

Kenshi smirked, handing Lincoln a data pad.

"Sounds good. Just don't go too hard on them right away, some of them are still adjusting to the intensity."

"No promises, if they're not used to it yet then they're already done for besides you were the one that said your higher-ups wanted some real progress." Lincoln replied with a grin, making his way toward the training grounds where the recruits were waiting, ready to put them through their paces.

Lincoln stood before the line of recruits, arms crossed as his gaze swept over them. The sun blazed overhead, casting long shadows across the military base's training grounds. The eleven candidates stood at attention, sweat already forming on their brows from the anticipation alone. They had been through the basic tests, but today was different, today was about proving who among them had the drive, the discipline, and the sheer will to push through adversity. Kenshi stood to Lincoln's side, arms behind his back, offering a small nod.

"They're all yours."

Lincoln smirked and stepped forward.

"Alright, listen up. I know it's been quite a while since the last time I was here to train you folks and you might think you've already been through this before, but let me tell you something, you're only just getting started. Project M.E.C.H. isn't for the faint of heart, and the kind of pressure you'll face out there in the field will make today's training seem like a walk in the park. My job is to make sure you're ready when that day comes. Understood?"

A chorus of determined voices echoed back.

"Yes, sir!"

"Good. Let's see if you can back that up. Start with a twenty-lap run around the field, full weighted gear. Move it!"

The recruits groaned internally but didn't hesitate. They grabbed their weighted packs and sprinted toward the track. Lincoln watched closely, already picking out the ones who struggled early on. Josuke Kamata was dragging his feet, Kyoji Ozawa was out of sync with his breathing, and Miya Tokuda looked like she had already bitten off more than she could chew. But then there was Seika Yoichi. While the others pushed themselves through the grueling laps with strained expressions, Seika's face was a mask of quiet determination. He was a bit average compared to some of the others, not the most physically imposing, but there was something about the way he moved, steady, relentless, as if he had a fire inside that refused to be put out. Lincoln narrowed his eyes. He remembered noticing Seika's potential earlier during the test, but now, seeing him in action, something told him this guy was different.

"Come on, pick up the pace! I see too many of you slacking. You think the enemy's gonna wait for you to catch your breath?!" Lincoln called out.

Seika didn't slow down. In fact, he sped up. One by one, he overtook his fellow recruits, passing Toyoharu and Natsuo before finally pulling ahead of the entire group. Despite the extra weight on his back, his breathing remained controlled, his focus unwavering. By the time the twenty laps were done, most of the recruits collapsed to their knees, panting heavily. Seika, however, remained standing, sweat dripping from his brow but his eyes still sharp.

"Not bad, not bad at all." Lincoln muttered under his breath, impressed.

The next set of drills focused on strength and endurance, obstacle courses, weightlifting, and combat scenarios with both hand-to-hand and weapons. Lincoln and Kenshi watched as the recruits tackled each challenge, each struggling to push past their limits. Some, like Shiba Seno, had the raw strength to power through obstacles but lacked finesse. Others, like Reisa Ubukata, were tactical but lacked the stamina to keep up. Yet Seika remained consistent, never the fastest or the strongest, but always pushing himself further than expected. When others wavered, he pressed on, even after falling hard during a rope climb and scraping his arms raw.

"Seika, you okay?" Lincoln asked, walking over as Seika wiped the blood off with the back of his hand.

"I'm fine, I can keep going." Seika said, standing up straight. His voice didn't waver.

Lincoln studied him for a moment before nodding.

"Good. Let's see what you can do in combat training."

The recruits were paired up for sparring, facing off against each other in quick, tactical bouts under Lincoln's watchful eye. Josuke Kamata and Shina Ide clashed first, their match ending in a draw. Toyoharu Okino overwhelmed his opponent with brute strength but lacked precision. Then it was Seika's turn. He was paired against Kyoji Ozawa, a larger recruit with a more aggressive fighting style. At first glance, it seemed like a mismatch. Kyoji came in strong, throwing heavy punches and forcing Seika on the defensive. But instead of panicking, Seika analyzed, moving with deliberate agility and waiting for an opening.

"Come on, Yoichi, hit him!" Kyoji taunted, pressing forward.

Seika remained silent, dodging carefully until, with a quick pivot, he struck Kyoji's exposed side and sent him sprawling to the mat. A hushed murmur ran through the watching recruits. Even Kenshi raised an eyebrow.

Lincoln stepped forward.

"Nice work, Seika. You've got good instincts."

Seika nodded respectfully.

"Thank you, sir."

As the training day progressed, it became more evident, Seika wasn't just in this to get by. He was in it to prove something, to himself and to others. Whether it was endurance, strength, or combat, he pushed himself without complaint, without hesitation. By the time the day ended, the recruits were exhausted, barely managing to stay on their feet as Lincoln addressed them once more.

"Today was just the beginning, you showed me what you're made of, but there's still a long way to go. Some of you are gonna struggle, some of you might even think about quitting. But only those with real dedication will make it through. Think about that tonight." He said, his voice carrying across the yard.

The recruits gave tired but determined salutes. As they began dispersing, Kenshi walked over, glancing at Lincoln.

"So, what do you think? Any standouts?"

Lincoln smirked, watching Seika as he carefully packed up his gear, standing a little straighter than the rest despite the day's challenges.

"Same answer as before, Seika. The guy's got something special. He's not the strongest, but he's got the heart for this. If he keeps pushing himself like today, he might just rise to the top."

Kenshi nodded thoughtfully.

"I didn't expect that, but I can't deny what we saw today."

"He's like Jim Gordon from the Gotham series with all that determination of his."

"Ok that reference I get."

As Lincoln watched Seika walk off with the other recruits, he couldn't help but feel a little inspired. He saw something of himself in the man, someone who had been underestimated but refused to back down.

"Tomorrow's gonna be even tougher, let's see if he can keep up." Lincoln mused.

With that, he turned to head back inside, already planning how to push the recruits even further. As the sun dipped lower in the sky, painting the horizon in hues of orange and purple, the recruits dragged themselves toward the showers and barracks, their bodies aching from the grueling training session. The exhaustion was evident on their faces, but beneath it lay a newfound sense of determination. Lincoln watched from the sidelines, leaning against a crate with his arms crossed, observing their movements carefully. Seika Yoichi, despite his own exhaustion, was the last to leave the field. He stood at the edge, stretching his sore muscles and adjusting his gear, his expression focused and determined. Lincoln smirked, walking over with a bottle of water in hand.

"Hey, Seika" Lincoln called out, tossing the bottle toward him.

Seika caught it, nodding in thanks before taking a long drink.

"Sir?"

Lincoln took a seat on the crate, eyeing him carefully.

"You've got a real fire in you, you know that? Most guys would've tapped out by now, but you just keep pushing forward. What's driving you?"

Seika wiped his brow, his expression serious.

"I've got something to prove... to myself, to my family. I wasn't the strongest growing up, and I got overlooked a lot. But here... here I can change that. I want to be someone who can make a difference."

Lincoln nodded thoughtfully.

"Trust me, I know the feeling all too well maybe to well compared to everyone else. But let me tell you something, being the strongest isn't just about physical endurance. It's about heart, resilience, and knowing when to push forward and when to step back."

Seika's eyes met Lincoln's under his helmet, filled with unwavering resolve.

"I understand, sir. And I'll keep pushing until I get there."

Lincoln chuckled, patting him on the shoulder.

"Good. Just don't burn yourself out. You've still got a long way to go. Go get some rest. Tomorrow's going to be worse." He stood up and was about to walk away before Seika spoke up again.

"Sir, do you mind if I confess about something real quick?"

"Sure what's up?"

"Well I understand that our enemies are the Synthoids and it's a new experience for some of us recruits but I've actually encountered them before."

"... You have?"

"Yeah, it was many years ago but I was attacked by a couple of Synthoids but I was too weak to defend myself back then but suddenly I was rescued by someone who looked a lot like you but his armor was kinda different and it was a shade of dark blue with yellow."

"... It must of been my predecessor. How about that?"

"If I may ask, what happened to him?"

"I wasn't around at the time but I was told that he sacrificed himself doing what he does... Have a good night dude."

Seika grinned faintly, nodding before turning to head inside, his steps steady despite the fatigue weighing him down. Kenshi walked up beside Lincoln, arms crossed as he watched Seika disappear.

"Kid's got guts. Think he's got what it takes to make it all the way?"

Lincoln smirked.

"Well I don't want to say anything I might regret later but you might as well tell you higher-ups that he'll be the chosen one for the project."

*The next day*

After yesterday, Lincoln tried to come up with a new kind of exercise for accelerated results for the recruits but while he was walking around, his train of thought was interrupted when a female voice called out to him.

"Well how are you doing stranger?!"

Lincoln turned around and saw that the person who was talking to him was a blonde woman in her 20's wearing purple pants, black boots, a teal and white shirt, a purple jacket, and her hair was tied in a ponytail but the most notable thing about her appearance was a large single streak of teal in her blonde hair and Lincoln immediately recognized her.

"Sam?!"

Sam smiled.

"How are you doing Lincoln?"

"I'm doing alright but what are you doing here?"

"Our concert here is like two weeks away and me and the band wanted to come here early to make sure everything's up and ready and explore Japan a bit, but you already knew that when you bought tickets to see us."

"... I forgot you get a notification when I buy one."

"I was kinda surprised, you bought tickets to our grande tour and star comeback."

"Wait, if you're here then does that mean..."

"Yeah, the rest of the band is here... including Luna but I separated myself from them early to walk around and maybe find you."

"I see... how about we go somewhere comfortable to talk."

"Sure sounds great."

Lincoln then took Sam to Hayate's cafe.

As they entered Hayate's café, the warm aroma of freshly brewed coffee, pastries, and Hayate practicing Lincoln's recipes welcomed them. The cozy ambiance, with its wooden furnishings and soft lighting, provided the perfect setting for a friendly chat. Lincoln led Sam to a corner booth, and they both sat down, the buzz of the café around them adding a lively backdrop to their conversation. Sam leaned back, looking around the place with an impressed expression.

"Nice spot you picked, Lincoln. Cozy and quiet. You come here often?"

Lincoln chuckled, leaning on the table.

"Yeah, it's a good place to think and plan things out. Plus I work here and the owner, Hayate, is a friend of mine."

Sam smirked.

"So you've got connections everywhere, huh?"

He shrugged.

"I'm not sure about that. So, Luna's really here, huh?"

Sam nodded.

"Yeah, she's not that excited about this tour considering what happened back in Royal Woods all those years ago. We've all been working hard for our big comeback. It's been a while since we've done something on this scale."

Lincoln smiled.

"I know. I kinda asked Clyde to dig up information about your band. I heard that Luna always preferred to stay backstage and out of the spotlight."

"... Yeah, it took a lot of effort to finally convince her to come back for the tour. She changed a lot since what happened and I even gave our relationship a second shot."

"No offense Sam but your relationship with Luna and my relationship with her are different."

"I understand but she's still her sister in the end."

"I know, I've been trying to work up the courage to confront her at the concert with Riku."

"Riku?"

"Oh yeah, Riku's my new girlfriend. She's a fan you guys and I got ticket for her as well when I got mine."

"I did see that you bought two, does she know about..."

"I told her everything, but let's change the subject. What's been happening on your side?"

"Well, after what happened in court, Luna fell into a depressed state because she knew how much she failed you as a sister and a guardian. She couldn't even let herself hear music much less play it and it still continued even after she was adopted by a kinda family. I saw the state she was in and I felt a bit sorry for her so I decided to try to approach her but she's been gaslighting herself thinking that she doesn't deserve to talk to me. It took a few attempts but I managed to do it, I won't deny that she messed real bad and was worse compared to most yet I also couldn't deny that a very small part of me still cared for her."

"And at some point, you continued talking and eventually cheered her up a bit."

"Yeah, it was also at that time she slowly started to regain her love for music so I convinced her and the rest of the band to let her come back with a couple of limits and terms on both sides. She was the one that refused to be the lead or get up on a stage in order not to go back to her old self before everything that happened. From there, you know the rest."

"Still hard to believe how much a person can change despite what they did in the past."

"Luna's a different person now and so are you, I think. You'd changed too right?"

"Uh... *Haves multiple flashbacks about how his family helped him in Great Lakes and events since then and about the fights here as a Kamen Rider* ... I would say so, yes."

Sam smiled.

"I should get back, the others might be worried about me and my safety. There have been those occasional monster attacks I've seen on the news."

"I'm familiar, I wouldn't worry about that too much. I have faith in the local hero."

"Oh yeah that guy, Kamen Rider Cyrus I believe."

"Yep."

"Best not to let her find out that it's me who's been fighting the Synthoids for now." Lincoln thought.

"Take care Lincoln, I'll see you after our concert in a few weeks"

"Yeah, see ya Sam."

-To Be Continued-