Ren.
You...
Kido...
Please fight for me.
In... my stead.
Ren!
Transform!
If I destroy that mirror, the Mirror World will be gone. The fighting will end.
But is that... really what's best?
What should I do?
End everything?
Or keep fighting in Ren's place?
Mirrors facing each other create infinite realities.
There is more than one possible outcome.
The only constant is desire.
All humans want.
And that is why...
...they fight.
When that want becomes so great that it's unbearable...
That is when...
people become Riders.
The Rider Battle now begins.
The dawning sun lights the way as you dash down the road
The vector of your passion piercing right through your chest
No matter what kind of danger may lurk...
Let your dreams dance free, here on this planet of ours
Until it smashes the mirrors reflecting the world's hatred
Press toward your dream, no matter how awkward you might be
Let your entire body feel the struggle of living
Hey! What's with this, Shimada?! My computer still isn't working!
Didn't I ask you to fix it?
Man...
Ow!
Stop it!
That hurts!
You don't have any love for your computer.
Your lack of love must be why you can't get a boyfriend.
What is that supposed to mean?
Are you trying to pick a fight?
Whoa, whoa, stop it, you two!
Especially you, Reiko. Haven't you been kind of irritable lately?
Of course I am!
Just this month, there's been seven unexplained disappearances.
It's like they were just spirited away or something.
That's true. I feel like we're just going around in circles when it comes to these cases.
Gyudon.
Seconds, please. With onion.
Shinji...
Okay! Gyudon with onion coming up.
Thanks...
Wake up!
Aren't you supposed to be out gathering info right now?!
And how long are you gonna be sleeping here?!
I'll go investigate right away...
So this is the place where the missing person was last seen?
Nothing around here, though.
What the heck?
What...?
What is this?!
Are you... a person?
Or...
What's going on...?
Ren!
STRIKE VENT
Hey, hang in there! Hey!
Once you're dragged into the Mirror World...
You can never go back.
Unless you become a Rider.
Rider?
You...
...use it.
Place the Deck there!
Use the cards... and fight!
SWORD VENT
Hey!
You... shouldn't get involved in the Rider Battle.
Hey!
Hand over that Card Deck.
Wh-Who are you? Why should I?
Just do what I tell you. Or do you want to get hurt?
So violent. You're not even gonna introduce yourself?
It's Akiyama Ren.
That enough for you?
Now give it over.
You don't seem like the type who should be a Rider.
So... are you one, too?
Please, tell me! What's going on?
It's better if you don't know.
You should hand over the Deck and go on with your life.
That's...
I can't just do that so easily! I just saw someone die!
You mean Sakakibara?
Don't worry.
It was going to happen sooner or later.
He was a Rider, but he tried to destroy the Mirror World.
Those that become Riders fight to make their dream a reality.
And they have to keep fighting until only one remains.
Anyone who forgets that...
doesn't belong in the battle.
What's with that?
That's heartless!
What's wrong with caring about others?
I...
Obviously I'd want to do something, for the sake of this Sakakibara guy.
Don't get any stupid ideas! Just give it here!
What—!
Give it back!
What's... your name?
Kido Shinji!
Don't lose...
that idealism of yours.
If you become a Rider,
you will be my enemy.
Ren!
Asakura Takeshi
Visits are limited to five minutes.
Who are you?
A Rider?
Have you said your prayers?
If you're a Rider, then you're my prey.
Eh?
I... am always pissed.
Killing you might put me at ease.
Wh... What are you saying?
Give it up.
There's no point trying to talk to him.
You're a Rider, too? Don't tell me you came here to defeat Asakura Takeshi?
As you can see, he's already done for.
What a poor planner.
Breaking out of jail just to get captured again.
Oh. And this.
I'll be taking it from your personal belongings.
Just so no one else can use it.
Watch out!
Looks like you didn't plan that well yourself.
Transform!
Oh, goodness.
I can't believe this happened.
I still don't get it.
Why do Riders have to fight?
If you win, your deepest wish will be granted.
That's it. That's why we fight.
That's too much!
Killing other people just for yourself?
Yes, yes. You have fun with your little lecture.
Personally, I'm not terribly interested in the philosophies of other Riders.
Boss.
Oh, Goro.
Well, good luck.
You...
What Sakakibara was trying to do... I'm...
He wanted to end everything.
In the Mirror World, there is a core mirror that creates the monsters.
A mirror that makes monsters?
Then... was that it?
If that particular mirror is destroyed, the Mirror World—
Aren't you saying too much?
This guy can't possibly do it, anyhow.
The core mirror is protected by the monsters.
Even Sakakibara couldn't get to it.
I'll do it!
Maybe not by myself, but. There's gotta be some other sensible Riders out there!
So you're looking for allies?
It's pointless.
You don't understand the burden of being a Rider.
Yeah, I don't know! And I don't want to!
Boss...
Are you alright?
I'm fine.
I still have time left.
I won't die. I swear it.
Using the same fabric, please make another and adjust the lapels.
Understood.
Yes?
Sir.
Preparations are completed.
I see.
Then, I'm off.
Have a safe trip.
There is a motorist tailing us.
Hey!
Hey! Wait!
What?
Hey!
This, look at this! Right here!
Excuse me. Please pull over for a moment.
Who are you guys?! Let me go! G-Get off me!
We should be safe here.
Anything you say will remain private.
Listen, so...
You wish to join up with me?
Yeah!
I think we should fight together. I'm trying to end things.
The Mirror World, and the entire Rider Battle!
I suppose I can drop the act.
Listen, brat.
I only fight for power.
What's wrong with wanting power?
But...
But you already have this big company, Takamizawa Group.
This is just something I obtained.
Either way, the Rider Battle won't just end.
Society as a whole is just like the Rider Battle, really.
Life is about defeating the competition.
You hear?
Every person is a Rider, deep down.
That... might be true, but...
But that's no reason to keep on—
Silence!
Enough!
Hey! What now?! Let go of me!
I'm not done talking! Get off!
Hey! I still have something to say!
What trash.
Erase the Mirror World?
Yeah.
A weird guy has shown up.
He's trying to gather people together for that reason.
I assume he won't be a real problem.
But just in case.
You want to join with me to protect the Mirror World?
I refuse.
It's true, that you and I became Riders for the same reason.
To save Eri.
To grant Eri a new life.
But right now, I'm not sure.
It's true that I loved Eri in the past.
Just as you love her now.
But... is it really fine to sacrifice all these people?
So, what?
Are you just going to let Eri die?
That's...
Sorry.
I only eavesdropped a little, but...
Are you saying you didn't become a Rider just for yourself?
It's none of your business.
Get lost.
Are you okay?!
Hurry and run!
Transform!
H-Hey, wait!
Transform!
Ignore the monsters!
Don't forget that a Rider's true enemy is another Rider!
CLEAR VENT
COPY VENT
Ren.
Tezuka.
FINAL VENT
Tezuka!
Tezuka.
Ren...
Tezuka!
Hey, wait.
Hey.
This is what the Rider Battle is like.
Here's your chance. Put your tail between your legs and run away.
Weren't you guys friends?
How can you act so casual?
Are you just okay with it?! Your friend is dead!
Aren't you misunderstanding?
From the moment we became Riders...
He and I were enemies.
It's one opponent down.
Nothing else.
You... You're really the worst!
I'm going to stop this!
I definitely will.
I'll end it all.
Oh, so you're the one? Heard about you from Takamizawa.
"A naive kid has become a Rider."
Kid...?
I'm older than you!
Don't get so mad over an insult like that. It's embarrassing.
The Rider Battle is just a game, y'know.
Let's enjoy it.
Game...?
You can't be serious!
I am. And I'll win it in the end.
You did it!
Well? Want to try?
If you beat me, I'll do whatever you say.
Pick that up, will you? You're so slow.
Who's the little kid here?
"People are good-hearted."
If you think that, being a Rider doesn't suit you.
Let's go.
Riders...
Why are they all like this?!
Good morni—
GOOOAAAAAALLL!
- Shinji.
What the hell are you doing?
Did you see that shot? Just like Beckham, right?
- Stop screwing around!
I'm asking what you think you're doin—
The truth is...
I've lost my faith in humanity.
Huh? What?
But... why soccer?
I played soccer a bunch as a kid!
So If I return to an innocent mindset, I can believe in people again.
That's beautiful. A wonderful story, Shinji!
Don't be impressed by that!
Enough, Shinji!
You're just tired. You've been working too hard, is all.
Shimada, call an ambulance, will you?
C'mon, Shinji. Just rest!
And stop trying to play soccer in here!
This is Ore Journal.
Phone for you, Shinji.
It's a detective from the precinct.
Huh?
A detective?!
I was too late to help him...?
I've heard all about you.
Is it true you want to stop the Rider Battle?
You can quit acting nice.
I know you just want to laugh at me, right?
Go ahead!
Everyone can just laugh it up.
I'm just a naive kid...
- No.
I'd like to help you.
If that's alright with you.
Alright with me... Huh?
Seriously?!
You.
Darjeeling, second flush.
The flavor is richer that way.
What's with you?
There's no way you're really here to drink tea.
I think you know. That Kido Shinji guy.
Seems he hasn't really gotten anywhere yet, but...
Might be smart to join forces.
He's potentially dangerous, that much is certain.
Better to crush him now.
I don't want your help.
Get out.
Could it be...
You're angry about Tezuka's death?
What a fool.
Even if you were friends in the past,
the instant you became Riders, you were enemies.
Aren't you just pretending?
You're not much different from that naive boy Kido Shinji.
You're wrong, I...
What'll you do? Hm?
Join forces?
Or not?
Y'know, I knew there had to be someone reasonable among the Riders.
So the thing is...
Another, please!
I want to destroy the core mirror in the Mirror World.
Monsters are guarding it, so apparently you can't do it alone.
Oh, you want anything? My treat.
Excuse me!
Two large puddings, please!
Transform!
SURVIVE
SHOOT VENT
Oh, yeah!
I got it.
- Not bad.
What is this?
Are you trying to get in my way?!
That should be our line.
Yeah, c'mon. Don't interrupt.
This is the greatest game in the world.
St-Stop it!
I don't want to fight you guys!
Why...?
Why are you...?
Don't think too badly of me.
But I never had any intention of allying with you.
You...
You don't know the Rider Battle yet. And that's just not fair.
We'll have to show you how it's done.
Get him!
Okay.
Asakura!
What's going on here?
Let me have fun, too.
The Mirror World doesn't need any cops.
FINAL VENT
You want to be next?
Yeah. I think I know the perfect place to send you.
If prison isn't enough, then it's time for you to go to hell.
Well. Goodbye.
Wait.
What?
You do it.
Finish him with your own hands.
If you're a true Rider...
then it should be easy.
Of course.
Wh-What, seriously? You can't!
Don't blame me.
You...
What's wrong?
Can't you do it?
What? You can't?
Geez, don't tell me you're all talk.
I knew it.
You don't belong here, either.
Hey!
What are you doing, showing weakness in front of another Rider?
You get it, don't you? You're nothing but prey.
S-Stop! Quit it!
Time's up?
Wait, Akiyama!
Hey, Ren!
Hey, are you okay?!
Hey!
Why?
Why are you helping me?!
If I can't fight as a Rider...
then I have no reason to live.
What are you saying? It's the other way around!
You're actually a good guy.
My whole opinion's changed!
The weak get eaten.
Don't you know?
Hey, Ren! Let's go!
Come on!
This way!
Come on!
Seems like no one's coming.
Enough.
Don't bother yourself with me anymore.
What're you talking about? We're friends, right?
Friends?
Yeah.
I mean, we argued at first...
But now we're definitely friends.
The fighting between Riders is all so pointless.
You and me should stop it! Let's end it all!
I can't.
There's someone I have to save.
And to do that...
I have to win.
I understand how you feel, but...
Found you.
Come on! Ren, let's go!
How long are going to run?
Once you become a Rider, your fate is to die as a Rider.
Don't think you can escape it.
Don't!
You transforming is just what they want!
Let go!
I'll fight.
Even if it's against my own weakness.
I will win.
Ren!
Transform!
Ren.
Transform!
You two call yourselves Riders?
Come on.
We'll bury you.
That's...!
If we destroy that, everything will end!
I'll start with you.
FINAL VENT
Watch out!
Ren!
FINAL VENT
Ren!
Ren.
You... You idiot.
Why do that...
for me?
Aren't we... friends?
Kido.
Please fight for me.
In... my stead.
Ren.
Eri... take care of her.
Ren!
REN!
How annoying.
Enough, already.
Get off me!
Transform!
SURVIVE
FINAL VENT
If I destroy that mirror, the fighting will end.
But is that... really what's best?
What should I do?
I will fight.
In Ren's place!
Ren.
You didn't really have an answer either, did you?
FINAL VENT
You fought to find an answer.
FINAL VENT
Then I'll fight, too.
To find the answer you were seeking!
Is this end result a tragedy?
Or was this for the best?
This is merely one part of the story.
For those seeking answers... The other half of this tale might provide them.
If we destroy that, everything will end!
I'll start with you.
FINAL VENT
Watch out!
Ren!
FINAL VENT
Ren!
Ren.
You... You idiot.
Why do that...
for me?
Aren't we... friends?
Kido.
Please fight for me.
In... my stead.
Ren.
Eri... take care of her.
Ren.
Ren!
REN!
How annoying.
Enough, already.
Get off me!
Transform!
SURVIVE
FINAL VENT
If I destroy that mirror, the fighting will end.
But is that... really what's best?
What should I do?
I...
I...!
Forgive me, Ren!
Since then... Life has returned to being ordinary.
But.
Something feels strange.
Something is...
Why?
How is this...?!
The Rider Battle won't just end.
Every person is a Rider, deep down.
Is this end result a tragedy?
Or was this for the best?
This is merely one part of the story.
For those seeking answers... The other half of this tale might provide them.