The Command Center was silent when the Rangers filed in, their armor scuffed and their bodies weary from the battle. The air smelled faintly of ozone, the aftereffect of teleportation.
Gia walked ahead of the group, her new form fading as she powered down. Even without her transformation, she carried herself differently now—her movements confident, her expression firm. The others couldn't stop glancing at her, the memory of her golden-gifted power still fresh in their minds.
"Gosei," Troy called out, his voice steady but heavy. "We need answers."
The great face of their mentor materialized, his expression calm yet troubled. "I saw what transpired from here. The Armada's monster has been destroyed, but the situation is far from over."
Before he could say more, a shimmer of light filled the chamber.
Yuriko.
She appeared suddenly, collapsing to one knee, sweat glistening on her brow. Emma rushed to her side. "Yuriko! You're okay!"
Gia stepped closer, relief flickering across her face. "We thought Fifteen—"
"I'm fine," Yuriko interrupted, though her voice was hoarse. She pushed herself up, her eyes sharp despite the exhaustion. "But you need to hear what happened."
The Rangers gathered around as Gosei's glowing presence leaned forward. Even he seemed tense, his usual serenity tempered by unease.
Yuriko took a deep breath. "When Fifteen dragged me away, he said he wanted to take the Rider power that Ohma Zi-O gave me. He thinks I'm not worthy of it. We fought in some kind of wasteland… and I barely managed to hold him off."
"You fought him?" Noah asked, disbelief in his tone. "And you survived?"
Yuriko nodded. "I had to use the Nadeshiko keychain. It gave me enough strength to keep up with him. For a while, I thought I could win." She clenched her fists, her voice dropping. "But then a monster appeared. Stronger than anything I've seen. While I fought it, Fifteen pulled back. He didn't even bother finishing the fight."
"He let you live," Troy muttered, his brows furrowed. "Why?"
"Because he's not done with me," Yuriko said bitterly. "He wants my Keychains. All of them."
The room fell silent, the weight of her words sinking in.
Jake broke it first, his voice uneasy. "So now we've got the Armada and this Rider after us. That's just perfect."
Emma shot him a sharp look. "This isn't just about us, Jake. Yuriko's at the center of it. If Fifteen's telling the truth, he's going to keep coming until he gets what he wants."
Gia stepped forward, her voice firm but calm. "Then he'll have to go through all of us." She looked directly at Yuriko, her expression resolute. "We're not letting him take you, Yuriko. Not while we're still standing."
Yuriko blinked, her chest tightening. She had fought alone for so long—even in her old world, even with Stronger at her side, she often carried the burden by herself. But here, with the Rangers, she felt something different: trust.
"Gia's right," Troy added, his tone steady. "We're a team. That means your fight is our fight."
Yuriko lowered her head for a moment, hiding the emotion flickering across her face. Then she straightened, a small but genuine smile breaking through. "Thank you."
Gosei's voice filled the chamber, solemn but determined. "The appearance of Kamen Rider Fifteen changes everything. His presence here is no coincidence. And the power of Ohma Zi-O is entwining itself with yours. You must all be prepared—the battles to come will test not only your strength but your resolve."
Gia looked at the others, her fists tightening. "Then we'll get stronger. Whatever it takes."
The Rangers nodded, their spirits uniting.
Yuriko glanced at the Keychains clipped to her belt, the faint glow of the Nadeshiko charm still pulsing softly. She thought of Fifteen's words, of Ohma Zi-O's shadow looming over them all. The future was uncertain, and the dangers ahead were greater than any she had ever faced.
But for the first time since her rebirth into this world, she didn't feel like she was walking that road alone.
The storm was still coming. But this time, she had a family to face it with.