Kamen Rider Geats: Back in Time

Design IX: Round 2, Begin (P4)

"Grandma please, I know how much it hurts out there, I know!" Neon cried, gripping Ayoko's hands tightly. "But escaping into fantasy isn't the answer! Nothing here is real, it's just an illusion to avoid facing reality."
Tears streamed down Neon's face as past memories of her own grief resurfaced. "I know what that darkness feels like, but escaping will only make the pain worse in the long run."
[Warning: Fight Kamen Riders if you wish to extend your fantasy]
[60 seconds left]
"Why can't I just stay here where I feel safe??" Ayoko sobbed, trying to pull her hands away. But Neon held firm.
"Because real love, real family, that's the only thing that will truly heal you!" Neon insisted passionately. "I promise being with us will lessen your grief, not make it worse. But hiding away alone will only leave you lost forever!"
[50 seconds left]
Cracks began to appear around the place, signifying the destruction of Ayoko's beautiful but cursed dreams

Neon flung her arms around Ayoko, hugging her trembling form tightly. "Please don't go, we need you!"
Ayoko returned the embrace, unable to hold back her anguished sobs any longer. The pair held each other as all of Ayoko's pent-up grief came pouring out in a torrent of tears.
[30 seconds left]

Yet amid the sorrow, Ayoko's heart began to feel lighter, warmed by Neon's compassion. For so long she'd carried her pain alone, but now someone truly understood her suffering.
[10 seconds remaining]
[Please extend your fantasy]

As their emotions peaked, ominous beeping began to echo through the fog. Ayoko knew it signified the illusion's collapse as her time slipped away. But Neon's words had shattered the facade, cracking open Ayoko's sealed heart once more.
[5 seconds]

"I'm...afraid," Ayoko hiccuped shakily. But Neon cradled her face with a gentle smile. "We'll face it together."
[4]
[3]
[2]
[1]

[0]
As Ayoko's emotions crested, the ominous beeping drowned out all other sounds. Time had run out for her illusory refuge.

Tora-Go's possessed body shone with a blinding flash. When the light faded, only Neon and Ayoko's weeping forms remained in the fog.

The portal trembled, cracks appearing as Ayoko's grip on fantasy finally crumbled completely. Outside, alarms blared - the battle round had come to an end.
Slowly, Ayoko lifted her head to meet Neon's comforting gaze. A small, trembling smile grew on her lips through her tears. Wordlessly, she nodded.

A beep sounded through the speakers and a voice came over.
"Round Over!" Tsumuri announced.
The scoreboard showed up.
[RED Michinaga Azuma (Kamen Rider Buffa): -4 (-3 3 BLUE active members)]
[BLUE Ukiyo Ace (Kamen Rider Geats): -1 (-1 1 RED active member)]
[BLUE Sasaki Keiwa (Kamen Rider Koatycoon): -4 (-1Knocked Out of Suit)]
[BLUE Neon Kurama (Kamen Rider Na-Go): -4 (-1 Knocked Out of Suit)]
[RED Ayoko Kurama (Kamen Rider Tora-Go: -5 (-1 Knocked Out of Suit, -3 3 BLUE Active members)]
[BLUE Sakurai Keiwa (Kamen Rider Tycoon): -3 (-1 Knocked Out of Suit, -1 1 RED member)]

"Wait- wait a minute! Doesn't this mean..." Keiwa said, pointing at Ayoko's name in the scoreboard.
[Tora-Go: LOSE]
By having a score of -5, Ayoko is eliminated. Tsumuri slowly came over to the group.
"Unfortunately, Ayoko Kurama is eliminated from the Designing Desire Grand Prix."
Ayoko stood there, taking it very well, compared to everything she faced lately, this doesn't seem like much.
"Grandma..." Neon whispered quietly, reaching for her.
"Unfortunately, since your life started all the way hundreds of years in the past, normal retirement doesn't work. Instead, you will be given a new identity in the 21th century" Tsumuri said.

Ayoko was starting too fade, her form taking on a yellow translucency. (an: typically its blue but this one is not very typical)

She smiled warmly at Neon. "To think someone from my own bloodline would understand me so completely... It gives me solace, you carried on the strength that let me survive this long. Thank you, for everything."
Neon gripped her hand tightly. "Grandma..."

Ayoko turned to the others with the same gentle smile. "Don't worry, I will still be alive. Actually, it may be my chance to get my life back properly..."
"Ayoko... Goodbye." Keiwa sniffled.
Her form grew fainter by the moment, tears flickering in her eyes. "Farewell, my friends, my dear Neon. May your dreams light the way, as mine have."

[Retired]

With those final words, Ayoko dispersed into glittering motes that faded on the wind. Her Driver fell down to the ground. Keiwa slowly came over to grab it.

"Be happy in your new life. You deserve it." Keiwa muttered under his breath.

DDGP Rules: Retirement rules could be changed.