Infinite Evolution of Kamen Rider

[Kuuga! Dual Time Break!]

Sougo flicked the pointer on the Heisei Hehe Sword, selecting the power of Kamen Rider Kuuga. With a single swing, a golden emblem imbued with tremendous power shot forward, racing toward the Old Demon King.

Unfazed, the Old Demon King calmly drew out a gold-and-crimson Ridewatch and pressed its button.

[Kuuga!]

Unlike Sougo, who could only simulate Kuuga's power through the Decade Armor, the Old Demon King wielded the true Kuuga power himself.

As the golden emblem neared, the Old Demon King took a step forward and blocked the attack effortlessly with a single raised leg. But he didn't destroy it. Instead, channeling his dark magic, he raised the same leg once more—and launched a counter-kick.

The returned emblem absorbed his demonic might, expanding more than tenfold. What had been a symbol the size of half a man now towered over Sougo. Unable to withstand it, Sougo was blown back by the blast—like a miniature nuclear explosion—left half-dead in the rubble.

Truly, this was the King of Devils, and that kick was worthy of Kuuga's dreaded "nuclear kick." Even while restraining his power, the Old Demon King could swat Sougo away as if disciplining a disobedient child.

"Impossible…" Sougo groaned, collapsed on the ground. He couldn't even stand—only able to lift his head weakly, glaring at the Demon King with a mix of pain and resentment.

"If you hate becoming a demon so much," the Old Demon King began, his voice cold but deliberate, "I'll give you a solution."

He was trying to deceive him again—same old trick, different day.

"Throw away that belt," he continued, pointing at the Ziku Driver fastened to Sougo's waist. "Without it, you won't become me."

"Throw… this belt?" Sougo looked down at the driver, uncertain.

"As long as you cast it aside, you'll lose your Rider power. That means no Demon King—and no destruction of the world."

Of course, this was complete nonsense.

Whether or not Sougo discarded the Ziku Driver made no difference. If he truly chose to become the Demon King, the golden taiyaki-shaped belt—the Oma Zi-O Driver—would manifest on its own, unaffected by the Ziku Driver.

And the Old Demon King knew this.

He also knew that even if Sougo threw away the belt now, he'd soon pick it back up—and that moment of contradiction would forge his path forward as the true Demon King.

Truly, the man was rotten to the core. Dangerous, manipulative, and utterly ruthless.

With a flick of his hand, the Old Demon King unleashed a surge of energy that shattered Sougo's transformation. Then, as if twisting the knife, he conjured an illusion—Gates being brutally beaten by Geiz Revive from the past.

"My loyal servant is already defeating your comrades," he said with emphasis on the word loyal. "Return to your time. What you do from here… is up to you."

Ryuga, watching nearby, quickly pulled the dazed Tsukuyomi to Sougo's side. He opened a shimmering portal that glowed like a galaxy and shoved the two broken Riders through.

This was Ryuga's improved portal. Unlike the standard black-hole-like rift—better for combat but visually dull—this new version shimmered with class. A krypton-gold design worthy of rivalling even the Old Demon King's own majestic gates. Pure aesthetics upgrade.

The destination was their original time, and since Ryuga had stored the coordinates, there was no risk of getting lost.

As the gate sealed, the Old Demon King finally turned to Ryuga.

"Just like Tsukasa Kadoya," he said. "You're from another world, aren't you?"

Tsukasa's been here? Ryuga blinked in surprise, then quickly nodded. Honestly, it made perfect sense—there was no way a wandering meddler like Tsukasa would skip a visit to the true Demon King.

"Yes," Ryuga replied. "What did he do when he came?"

"He said he wanted to witness my power," the Old Demon King said calmly. "So I beat him senseless."

Pfft! Ryuga couldn't help but laugh. "So that's why he's always stirring up trouble for you now. Revenge!"

It all made sense now. That guy never showed up in this timeline because he was too scared!

"He couldn't beat me as I am now," the Demon King chuckled. "So he went to bully my younger self. A decent warm-up, I suppose."

"And what is it you want?" the Demon King asked, tone shifting.

Ryuga answered without hesitation. "Two reasons: first, to meet the future Sougo. Second—"

He grinned.

"—to obtain your power."

"Oh?" The Demon King raised a brow, not angry but intrigued. "You think I'd just give it to you?"

"I figured I'd try," Ryuga replied smoothly. "If you say yes, that's great. If not, I'll collect Rider powers myself."

"Even if you're just trying, surely you've got a reason? You wouldn't be this casual without one."

"You're right."

Ryuga took a breath.

"Although I'm from another world—just like Tsukasa—I'm not like him."

"I know exactly how things play out in this world."

The Old Demon King narrowed his eyes, clearly intrigued.

"I know that while you've been maintaining the flow of history, deep down, you hope Sougo will choose a different path than you."

Ryuga didn't give him a chance to speak.

"And in the end—he does. In the future he creates, your power becomes obsolete. Rather than letting it go to waste, why not give it to someone who'll use it?"

"…Are you saying I don't exist in that future?" the Demon King asked quietly.

"Correct." Ryuga nodded. "Sougo is not like you. He doesn't carry the weight of the world on his shoulders."

"You became the Demon King after Gates died. You killed Swartz, then chose to move forward alone."

The Old Demon King gave a slight nod. That much was true.

"But Sougo… he erased the world and built a new one—one without Swartz."

"I won't say if it's right or wrong. Even I might've done the same in his place. Not everyone has the willpower you have."

Ryuga cast him a glance.

"You're what I'd call a true idealist—a man who walks the walk, not just talks the talk."

The Demon King was silent. While he would never choose the same path as his younger self, he wouldn't impose his values either.

He was virtuous, but not self-righteous.

The former acts on conviction.

The latter only points fingers.

Ryuga grinned again. "So if your story's ending either way… why not pass that power to me?"

The Demon King chuckled. "If that's the case, it's not impossible. But I won't hand it over so easily."

"You'll have to earn my approval."

He raised his hand.

"Show me you're worthy. Fight me."

Ryuga's eyes lit up.

"Gladly."

He cracked his knuckles.

"Not afraid of a challenge. Just afraid you wouldn't give me the chance."