"sui.sui.suisuisui"
A blue magic circle appeared above Wizard and passed down over him, replacing his original red form with blue.
Cirno, who had just gotten to her feet, gathered the elements before her. Blue water-element energy turned into a beam and shot toward Wizard and Spirit. They both dodged at the same time.
"Junior, if you don't want to hurt your companion, fight with the same elemental power she's using. That'll disperse her power without hurting her."
"Got it, senior."
At the reminder, Spirit took out the Black Tortoise card and changed forms.
"Armor Change—Black Tortoise"
A flash of blue light passed, and Spirit appeared on the battlefield in Black Tortoise form. He took out a weapon card and inserted it into the slot.
"Weapon Manifestation—Shield Armor"
Seeing that her attack had failed, Cirno gathered energy again and released a wave of light. At the same time, ice crystals of all sizes appeared around her, scattering and wreaking havoc on the surroundings.
"Senior, what should I do?"
"Subdue her, then enter her mind. Use this."
Wizard took out a ring and showed it to Spirit as he explained.
"But first, you just need to restrain her."
With that, he switched the sensor to his right hand and put on a ring.
"Roubachi Magic Touch Go"
"Defend please"
Wizard conjured a water shield to block Cirno's attacks, all the while thinking of a way to subdue her.
"What should I do? How can I save you, Cirno?"
Unable to do anything but defend behind his shield, Spirit cried out anxiously.
If your element is controlled by the enemy or driven away by their power, your attacks will weaken or become ineffective.
The words suddenly flashing through his mind gave Spirit a jolt of inspiration.
"Senior, I've got an idea. Cirno, let me show you what I've been working so hard on!"
Spirit raised his Shield Armor and charged straight into Cirno's beam, spinning the shield as he reached out with his mind toward the water element within it. As the beam faded, the water element scattered across the shield gathered into a swirling vortex.
"Black Tortoise Secret Technique—Absolute Zero"
The center of the Shield Armor suddenly split open, and streams of water flowed into it. Tiny points of white light appeared within. With a roar from Spirit, a beam of Absolute Zero shot toward Cirno, freezing her in a blast of icy light.
"K-kill... me... please..."
Perhaps the intense cold of the powerful water element had jolted Cirno back to her senses. She looked at Spirit and spoke haltingly.
"I won't. Cirno, I'll save you, no matter what, because I'm your companion!"
At Spirit's firm reply, Cirno—who had still wanted to say something—fainted.
Wizard came over to Cirno and spoke to Takai Geki.
"As her most important companion, you're her last hope!"
Then he took out a ring and put it on Cirno's hand.
"Roubachi Magic Touch Go"
He placed Cirno's right hand on the sensor.
"Engage please"
As a magic circle appeared in front of Cirno, Wizard nodded to Spirit.
"Cirno, this time, I'll be the one to save you."
Spirit passed through the magic circle and entered Cirno's mind.
Heart of Moving Forward (14) (Submitted by reader Yuan Yi Xin Fei)
(Weather tip: Silent)
Spirit arrived in Cirno's mind. It was a vast, snowy landscape, pure white as far as the eye could see. But a black monster had appeared at its center, rooted in the landscape. Its tentacles bound a spectral Cirno, who looked only ten years old. Her flickering form seemed ready to shatter at any moment.
"Cirno, I'm here to save you!"
Seeing her, Spirit ran toward the center.
"Idiot, what are you doing here? Run! Get out of here!"
At the familiar voice, Cirno weakly opened her eyes. When she saw Spirit, her eyes widened, and she called out with all her strength.
"No! Cirno, I'll get you out of here! I promise! Because we're companions!"
Spirit answered her with unwavering conviction, swinging his Shield Armor. Ice formed around him, turning into blades that slashed at the monster's tentacles.
Hearing his reply, Cirno closed her eyes and resolved that even if she died, she wouldn't let Spirit get hurt.
With a loud crash, Cirno fell free from her bonds. Spirit caught her and carried her back to a safe place.
"Don't worry. It'll be all right."
"You really are an idiot."
After rescuing Cirno's spirit, Spirit turned to face the monster.
"So you're the one who's been tormenting Cirno. Then I'll settle the score with you, too!"
"Armor Change—Armed—White Tiger"
Changing to White Tiger form, Spirit leaped toward the monster, Ithaqua. The sharp tiger claws on his fists came down hard, wrapped in a whirlwind and ice. With a thunderous crash, Ithaqua shattered into a mass of flesh.
"All right, that should do it."
"No, it's not over. It's still alive. You can't kill it. Get out of here!"
"What?" Spirit turned to check, only to be suddenly flung away by a tentacle.
"Ugh—cough, cough. How can this be?" Takai Geki gasped, staring in disbelief at Ithaqua, standing in the center.
"Give up and leave, please," Cirno begged through her tears.
"No! I'm not the kind of guy who abandons his companions." Spirit got back up and charged at Ithaqua again, only to be flung away once more.
Black energy coiled around Ithaqua, transforming it into a giant beast five zhang tall.
Spirit got back up without a word and repeatedly charged Ithaqua, only to be knocked back again and again.
"Please, you idiot! Get out of here!" Cirno sobbed through her tears.
After struggling to his feet once more, Spirit suddenly spoke.
"You know, I've liked you ever since we met. Sure, maybe that's because I'm a lolicon, but that doesn't change the fact that I like you. I like your smile, and the happy look in your eyes~"
After being flung away again, Spirit spoke with difficulty.
"I like your cheerful nature. I like the way you tease me with your water element. Seeing you like this made me realize why I have this power."
Standing up again, Spirit faced Cirno.
"I'll use this power to protect every smile in this world. I won't let sadness or despair touch anyone's smile. Never! This is my conviction as Kamen Rider Spirit, and I'll uphold it for the rest of my life!"
"Geki! You really are a kind idiot!" Cirno froze at his words, then smiled. Though a little battered, she looked beautiful.
"Hahaha! I am an idiot, aren't I? Cirno, I love your singing. So, as the queen, would you sing a song for your foolish knight?"
"Mm!" Weakly wiping away her tears, Cirno sat on the ground with her legs folded, her face bearing a gentle smile as she looked at Spirit. Her red lips parted, and a sweet, moving voice rang out.
"Never once lied, never once regretted it
Never told a lie, never regretted a thing"
"Were there ever days like that?
Were there ever days like that?"
"Until the day I met you
Before I met you that day"
Spirit, who had been knocked away again, got back up and said,
"This time, I won't get knocked away! I'm invincible with my BGM playing!" With that, he took out a weapon card and inserted it into the slot.
"Weapon Manifestation—Steel Fang Blade"
Spirit wielded the blade, sweeping up a storm of ice and snow that formed a giant blade and slashed toward Ithaqua.
"You made me believe
I'm no longer all alone"
"you're the only one
How could I not have realized???"
"Hahahaha!" Gasping for breath, Spirit leaped onto Ithaqua and swung his blade again and again, sending wind blades slicing through its tentacles.
"That I wasn't all alone anymore
You're the one who made me feel that way"
"Yes, you're the only one, only your heart
Yes, only you—only your heart"
"You gave wings to me, who couldn't fly
You gave wings to me, unable to take flight"
"And you set me free
And then you set me free"
"when i close my eyes i can feel you
When I close my eyes, I can feel you"
"Just having you here
Just having you by my side"
"Whenever the wind blows, I feel the earth smiling
Whenever the wind blows, I feel the Earth smiling"
A dazzling white light shone through Cirno's mind, purifying the tainted energy. Ithaqua returned to its original size, and its body continued to weaken.
"Even when you're not in front of me
Even when you're not before my eyes"
"When I close my eyes, I can always feel you by my side
Whenever I close my eyes, I can feel you by my side"
"Weapon Finisher—White Tiger Secret Technique—Roaring Tiger Skyward"
As the Finisher Card slid into his weapon, a White Tiger appeared behind Spirit, roaring up at the sky. Winds howled around it, and its sharp teeth gleamed with cold light. Chains of wind wrapped around Ithaqua, binding it so tightly it couldn't move. Spirit planted his blade in the ground, stepped back, and took a charging stance. The White Tiger behind him roared at the sky, then charged Ithaqua. Spirit became a blur as he rushed after it, yanked the blade from the ground, and launched a continuous flurry of slashes, each sending a streak of light at Ithaqua. The White Tiger's claws and teeth tore into it savagely, and countless flashes of light burst across its body.
"You gave wings to me, who couldn't fly
You gave wings to me, unable to take flight"
"And you taught me about love
And then you taught me love"
"when i see hea ven's skies in your eyes
When I see heaven's skies in your eyes"
"In the sky after the evening shower
In the sky after the evening rain"
Before you continue