For Ryuga, absorbing the energy of each Kamen Rider wasn't a mission—it was a matter of preference. He didn't collect powers because he had to. So even when he saw the another Fourze transformation that Sougo and the others hadn't seen, he had no interest in pursuing it.
After acquiring the Fourze Ridewatch, Sougo and Gates quickly tracked the another Fourze to 2011 and defeated it. Victory, however, was short-lived.
From the burning wreckage of the another Fourze, a new figure emerged—another Rider: Faiz.
Because they hadn't truly eliminated the another Fourze, the Fourze Ridewatch didn't require a manual restart. Instead, it reactivated itself—rebirthing the same threat with an added layer of armor, now infused with Faiz's power. An armored shell of one another Rider over another.
"It's clever, really," Ryuga observed. "Unless they defeat both Faiz and Fourze at the same time, the another knight can't be destroyed."
Ora frowned. "But why would Swartz want to create something indestructible? Isn't he trying to stop Zi-O?"
"Of course he is," Ryuga replied casually. "Didn't you say it yourself? He's just biding his time. He wants Zi-O to gather as much Rider power as possible… so he can steal it all at once. The stronger Zi-O becomes, the juicier the reward."
A sneer curled on his lips. "Unfortunately, this clown doesn't realize that the moment Sougo decides to become the Demon King, he can. He doesn't need Ridewatches at all."
"And that so-called Demon King power? It's leagues beyond what Swartz can even comprehend. He's not just outclassed—he's irrelevant."
"What?!" Ora was visibly shaken. "That can't be true…"
"Don't overreact. The truth is, nobody really understands the scope of the Demon King's power. That includes you. The reason people underestimate him is simple—because the future Demon King never uses his full strength."
"…Then why do they call him a demon? A destroyer of worlds?"
"That's the irony." Ryuga looked into the distance. "The current Tokiwa Sougo—the one who wants to protect the world—is the so-called 'Demon King who destroys everything.' But the future Demon King? The one everyone fears? He's actually the savior of humanity. He shoulders the entire timeline alone."
Ora stared blankly. "What… are you saying?"
"It's a paradox. In the present, he refuses to rule. He lacks the conviction to lead the world forward. So he finds an excuse—some emotional reason—to flip the table. He erases everything to build a 'clean' world without Swartz, without pain. A soft reset."
"…"
Ora fell silent, stunned. The so-called 'villain' they were trying to stop was, in fact, the very force keeping the timeline from collapsing. And they—the time robbers—were just puppets dancing for their own entertainment in his grand theater.
"…So we're just a bunch of clowns to him," she said bitterly.
Ryuga didn't respond. Instead, he opened a black hole with a flick of his hand and waved her in. In a flash, they were back in Ora's high-end apartment.
"…What was that?" Ora finally asked, glancing at the fading vortex.
"Black hole," Ryuga answered nonchalantly, pulling out a bag of potato chips and flopping onto the couch. "Didn't I mention it before? What surprises me more is that you still like this junk food."
"You're one to talk," Ora huffed. But after everything she had heard, she didn't push further. She simply grabbed two bottles of cOra from the fridge and plopped beside him, watching drama reruns while munching chips.
The next day, Sougo acquired the Faiz Ridewatch through a proper succession from Kamen Rider Faiz himself. With Gates' help, he coordinated simultaneous attacks in 2003 and 2011—finally eliminating the composite another Rider for good.
Ryuga, as always, followed at his own pace—collecting the Faiz power but not bothering with introductions. These Riders belonged to parallel worlds, after all. He'd wait for the main timelines to show up before getting properly involved.
The another Wizard appeared soon after, this time orchestrated by Uhr. But even then, Ryuga didn't care much. He stayed home with Ora, extracting Rider powers while enjoying the slow life of an otaku. Between power siphoning and potato chips, he was perfectly content.
Since Kamen Rider Wizard himself didn't appear, Ryuga had to draw energy from the another Wizard instead. Functionally, it made little difference—both versions drew from the same root law of the Rider system. Still, he preferred the aesthetics of the real Riders. Another ones were often too grotesque for his taste. But if that's what he had, he'd just purify it later.
Suddenly, the drama on the TV cut off for a breaking news alert.
"This just in! Japan's leading technology conglomerate, the Tanshi Group, has declared its independence from Japan!"
Ora frowned. "What kind of news ruins a good show like this?"
Then the screen cut to a familiar, flamboyant figure.
"I am Dan Kuroto! Former president of the Tanshi Group. As of now, I shall be known as Dan Kuroto King!"
Watching the flamboyant figure shout on national television, Ryuga burst out laughing.
"Ah, Genm—Ex-Aid's companion! But here, he's become an another OOO. Classic Ur. The guy's too dedicated to his work."
"Why would he still help Swartz?" Ora muttered, shaking her head.
"He claims Swartz needs him. That as long as he proves his value, he'll be kept around," she added.
"Kids and their illusions," Ryuga snorted. "Swartz would kill him the second he's done with him. That little brat just doesn't know better."
Without another word, he extended his palm. A small sphere of black energy formed, and he pressed it gently against Ora's chest.
She blinked. "What is this?"
"You've got time powers, but that's it. You're still just a normal human underneath. If something bypasses time abilities—say, a direct attack—you're in trouble."
"That's black hole energy. It'll absorb energy-based attacks within my range. And if someone tries to get too close—well, they'll be exiled into deep space or a time vortex. Either way, dead."
He leaned back. "And since Ur's with Swartz now, be careful around both. He may keep quiet about me to protect himself, but if Swartz suspects anything, you'll be the first to pay."
"Got it." Ora's voice was soft but clear. She didn't argue. Instead, she picked up a potato chip and handed it to Ryuga, who ate it without complaint. Unconsciously, their bodies leaned just a little closer on the couch.
On the TV, chaos erupted. Dan Kuroto began distributing silver cell medals into civilians, mutating them into mummified monsters—the Yummy, half-formed failures from the OOO timeline.