Archive of Our Own ^beta

EXT. FIELD - DAY

The Donbrothers are fighting a Benitsuki and Shisotsuki.

Haruka (V.O.): "It's been a whole year already. An entire year of fighting without Tarou as our leader. Jirou's been doing a fine job, I guess, but being a Donbrother isn't really hitting the same..."

The Benitsuki and Shisotsuki are defeated with incredible ease. Oni Sister sighs, undoing her transformation along with everyone else.

Jirou: "Good work, everyone."

Tsuyoshi: "How many times have we beaten these guys already?"

Tsubasa: "Do we really need all eight of us for this?"

Haruka: "I still have manga to write, so..."

Shinichi: "And I have my haiku."

Everyone turns to leave, except for Jirou and Sonoi.

Sonoza: "Hey, Haruka! Wait up!"

Jirou looks at them, dejected. Sonoi rests a hand on his shoulder and gives him an affirming smile.

EXT. STREETS - DAY

Sonoza: "Hey, Haruka!"

Haruka stops, allowing Sonoza to catch up with her.

Sonoza: "Your studio's not that way, you know."

Haruka turns around to face her editor-in-chief.

Haruka: "I-I just need to go buy a few things first! Don't wait for me, Chief!"

Sonoza notices Haruka's shifty eyes and shaky tone, but she runs off before he can say anything. He sighs in place, knowing exactly where Haruka is headed.

INT. SHIROUSAGI EXPRESS - DAY

Tarou is eating lunch with his coworkers. He loses game after game of rock-paper-scissors, allowing his food to be taken piece by piece.

Haruka (O.S.): "Tarou!"

Tarou looks over to see Haruka standing at the entrance. She approaches him.

Tarou: "It's you again. You here to show me more of your manga?"

Haruka: "Yeah. Would now be a good time?"

Tarou looks at his empty bento box.

Tarou: "Sure."

EXT. OUTSIDE SHIROUSAGI EXPRESS - DAY

Tarou takes a look at Haruka's draft.

Tarou: "Not bad. It's a pretty interesting story."

Haruka (whispering): "That's because... it's our story."

Tarou: "Huh?"

Haruka: "Oh, no! I-it's nothing."

EXT. OUTSIDE SHIROUSAGI EXPRESS - LATER

Tarou drives off in his delivery truck.

Haruka: "So this wasn't enough for him to remember either, huh..."

She looks at the latest scene immortalized onto paper from her first year as a Donbrother. The picturesque moment of her falling into Tarou's arms in vivid black-and-white.

EXT. OUTSIDE SARUHARA RESIDENCE - DAY

Tarou rings the bell, holding a package. Shinichi answers the door.

Tarou: "Here's your package. Stamp or signature, please."

Shinichi: "Thank you very much." 

Shinichi signs and takes over the package. Tarou starts to leave, but Shinichi stops him.

Shinichi: "Oh, before you go."

Shinichi reaches for a hand-bound book and presents it to Tarou.

Shinichi: "This is for you."

Tarou takes the book and quickly peruses it.

Tarou: "You've written another haiku collection?"

Shinichi: "Yes. I can't wait for your feedback, as usual."

Tarou: "Are you sure? It can't be cheap to self-publish these."

Shinichi: "I like having a few extras for my friends."

INT. PHEASANT CONSULTANT, TSUYOSHI'S OFFICE - DAY

Tsuyoshi is pouring Tarou a cup of tea.

Tsuyoshi: "Please take a seat, Mr. Momoi."

Tsuyoshi points Tarou to his own seat. Tarou sits down without a second thought.

Tsuyoshi: "You haven't changed at all, have you?"

Tarou: "I see you've gotten a promotion."

He points at Tsuyoshi's name tag.

Tsuyoshi: "It's all thanks to your blessing. Even the ugly duckling can spread its wings, so to speak!"

Tarou: "Well, thank you for being such a loyal customer to our service."

Tsuyoshi: "I just find you very reliable, that's all."

Tsuyoshi checks his watch.

Tsuyoshi: "Oh! Now's the perfect time. Would you like to join me on my break? It'll be quick, I promise."

EXT. AMOUR EVASION - AFTERNOON

Sononi brings out a tray of desserts for Tarou, Tsuyoshi, and Tsubasa, who are seated at one of the outdoor dining tables.

Sononi: "Please enjoy."

Tsubasa: "Go ahead, let me know what you think. These are our new items."

Tsuyoshi: "Can I take some to go, actually? I want my Natsumi to give them a try."

Sononi: "Sure."

She leaves to grab Tsuyoshi a box. Tarou takes a bite out of an eclair.

Tarou: "Very nice. The coffee powder's a nice touch."

Tsubasa smiles confidently. Sononi comes out of the shop just in time to catch his expression.

Sononi: " Oh, Tsubasa... Always thinking of your friends... "

She blushes and smiles to herself like a schoolgirl.

EXT. ODEN STAND - NIGHT

Jirou sits down at Sonoi's oden stand.

Sonoi: "Welcome! Oh, Jirou, you're here."

Jirou: "Hey, Sonoi..."

Sonoi: "Thanks for coming. What would you like?"

Jirou takes a look at the selection.

Jirou: "...I'll have some string konjac."

Sonoi: "Sure thing."

Sonoi serves Jirou's order into his bowl.

Sonoi: "Being the leader of the Donbrothers is not an easy task. You're already doing very well, Jirou."

Jirou: "Do you really think so...? Everyone seems so disinterested. When Tarou was here, it wasn't like this at all."

Sonoi: "Are you still comparing yourself to Tarou?"

Jirou: "How can I not? I'm supposed to be following his footsteps. But at this rate, the Donbrothers are gonna disband!"

Sonoi: "You'll recall that I was also obsessed with trying to defeat Tarou in a duel. But a year later..."

Sonoi looks straight into Jirou's eyes.

Jirou: "Sonoi...?"

Sonoi: "Tarou's removed himself from battle. Before he left, he told us he didn't care about being the winner anymore. I kept thinking about what he meant."

Sonoi shifts his gaze to the full moon in the sky.

Sonoi: "He's living his own life now. We'll never get a chance to defeat Tarou again, not that we ever could. But doesn't that mean the way to catch up to him is to do what he's doing and live our own lives? I think that's what he was trying to tell us."

Jirou ponders Sonoi's words, but a second guest interrupts his trail of thought.

Jirou: "Tarou...?!"

Sonoi: "Tarou..."

Tarou sits down next to Jirou.

Tarou: "Pass me an egg to start, boss."

Sonoi: "...Okay."

Sonoi serves Tarou an egg. Tarou takes a bite into it, revealing the golden yolk within. Something about that yolk dazzles Jirou, forcing him to look away. Unable to remain seated next to his idol, Jirou takes out some money and slams it onto the stand before dashing away, leaving his bowl of string konjac untouched.

Sonoi: "Jirou! ...I told him it was my treat."

Tarou: "You know, you're pretty young to be running an oden stand on your own."

Sonoi smiles. It is a gentle, comforting expression.

Sonoi: "It's all thanks to someone very dear to my heart. It's a bit embarrassing to admit, but I was unaware of the wonders of oden as recently as this past year. But because of them... Here we are."

Tarou: "How lovely."

Sonoi: "Indeed."

INT. JIROU'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Jirou sits on his futon, anxiety overcoming him.

Jirou: " In the end, I could never be like Tarou..."

He holds Tarou's Avataro Gear to the moonlight before slowly clasping it in his hands.

INT. CYBER PRISON - FLASHBACK DON 32

Jin: "There are two of you, dwelling within. If those two were to become one... You may be able to approach Tarou's heights."

INT. JIROU'S HOUSE - NIGHT

As Jirou tries to hold back his tears, energy particles start to form around him.

EXT. SHRINE - DAY

The Donbrothers, minus Jirou, are gathered at the shrine.

Haruka: "I guess we... all know what we're here for?"

Tsubasa: "Look, there's no sugarcoating it. I'm done with being a Donbrother."

Sononi: "Tsubasa..."

Tsubasa: "This is for our future, Sononi."

Tsuyoshi: "Even if we stop being Donbrothers, there'll be people to replace us, right? Jirou said he wanted to get new companions before, too."

Sonoza: "What's up with you guys? Don't you all want to live up to Tarou's expectations anymore?!"

Shinichi: "Tarou isn't a Donbrother anymore either. We can forge new bonds with him as regular people instead. That's what we've all decided upon, no?"

Sonoza: "That's...!"

Sonoza tries to get up close and personal to Shinichi, but Sonoi stops him.

Sonoza: "Sonoi!"

Sonoi: "People have the right to choose how they live."

Sonoza: "Tch...!"

Haruka is the first to spot Jirou stumbling towards them.

Haruka: "Jirou..."

Jirou: "Why... Why can't I be Tarou...?!"

Jirou screams to the heavens, transforming into Avajiroki. 

Tsuyoshi: "W-what?!"

Sonoi: "That's impossible..."

Avajiroki approaches the group while slashing energy attacks at them with a mutated Ryukonogeki. Tarou notices the ruckus while passing by in the middle of a delivery.

Tarou: "That's..."

Avajiroki notices Tarou. Haruka follows its gaze.

Haruka: "Tarou!"

Haruka pulls out her Donblaster, but Avajiroki smacks it out of her hands. Instead of continuing to attack the Donbrothers, however, he picks up Haruka's Donblaster and inserts Tarou's Avataro Gear into it.

Sonoi: "That's Tarou's Gear..."

Avajiroki throws the Donblaster over to Tarou.

Avajiroki: "Use it to transform...!"

Tarou calmly picks the transformation gun off the ground. Shinichi, Tsubasa, and Tsuyoshi bring out their Donblasters, as if to wait for their leader's call.

Tarou: "So, what's this supposed to be?"

Avajiroki stomps the ground with his right foot and runs towards Tarou. 

Sonoi: "Stop!"

Everyone transforms except for Haruka, but they're too late to stop Avajiroki from reaching Tarou. Instead of attacking Tarou, however, Avajiroki puts his hands on Tarou's and starts teaching him how to use the Donblaster.

Inu Brother: "The hell?"

Avajiroki guides Tarou to spin the gear.

Avajiroki: "This is how you do it!"

Tarou: "Huh."

Avajiroki: "Now say 'Avatar Change'...!"

Tarou: "Avatar Change."

Avajiroki pulls the trigger for Tarou, transforming him into Don Momotaro for the first time in a year.

Saru Brother: "Tarou... Fight, Tarou! Turn Jirou back to normal!"

Haruka: "Yeah... You can do it, Tarou!"

Inu Brother: "Get him!"

Don Momotaro takes in the cheers of his companions.

Don Momotaro: "My companions... That's right... I'm a Donbrother. I'm Don Momotaro!"

Avajiroki: "Face me...!"

They fight, with Don Momotaro gaining the upper hand.

Kiji Brother: "Mr. Momoi... He really is back!"

Transformed Sonoi: " Tarou... I've missed you. "

Suddenly, the colour on Don Momotaro's body starts to flicker. Eventually, his palette becomes monochrome.

Haruka: "Tarou!"

Transformed Sononi: "What's going on...?"

Don Momotaro becomes powerless to defend against Avajiroki's attacks.

Avajiroki: "I'm the strongest...!"

Avajiroki pierces Don Momotaro's chest with his Ryukonogeki and flings him away. The rest of the Donbrothers all scream his name and run towards where his body lands.

Avajiroki: "I did it...! I finally surpassed Tarou...!"

Avajiroki drops his Ryukonogeki and pumps his fists in the air before reverting back to being Jirou. The spirit of Avajiroki leaves him, signaling the fulfillment of his desire.

Jirou: "...Huh? What am I doing here?"

EXT. FOREST - DAY

The Donbrothers find Tarou's body in the middle of the forest. Tsuyoshi takes his pulse.

Tsuyoshi: "No pulse... He's dead."

Shinichi: "That can't be right. Maybe he's just pretending. Like before."

Haruka starts poking Tarou's cheek.

Haruka: "Come on, Tarou. Wake up."

Tsubasa gives him a few gentle kicks.

Tsubasa: "Look, we're safe now. Stop acting."

No response. The realization sinks in: Tarou has died. As despair overtakes everyone's expression, Sonoi seems to think something to himself.

INT. CHURCH - DAY

Haruka, Shinichi, Tsuyoshi, Tsubasa, Jirou, and Kaito are gathered around Tarou's casket.

Jirou: "Tarou... Tarou...!"

He kneels in front of Tarou, crying uncontrollably.

Haruka: "Jirou... It's not your fault."

Jirou: "It was me... I did it... I killed Tarou!"

Tsubasa: "Maybe this is bad timing, but..."

He takes out his sunglasses and lays them on the altar.

Tsubasa: "I think it's time to quit for real."

Tsuyoshi: "...Agreed."

He puts down his sunglasses as well, and Haruka and Shinichi follow suit.

Kaito: "You guys..."

Jirou is too choked up to have a response.

Haruka: "We have the points to do it, right, Boss?"

Kaito: "...Indeed."

Shinichi: "Then that settles it."

Haruka, Shinichi, Tsuyoshi, and Tsubasa start to leave. Haruka turns around one last time.

Haruka: "Goodbye, Tarou. Sorry, Jirou."

EXT. STREETS - DAY

The four walk down the busy street, depressed and unattentive. However, a scream from behind breaks the silence.

Tsuyoshi: "What was that?"

The Kashiwa Mochi World runs into view, scaring pedestrians in the process. It appears to be frantic, checking its rear frequently.

Kashiwa Mochi World: "I'll get away... I'll get away and make every world a world of kashiwa mochi!"

The spirit of Avajiroki heeds the Kashiwa Mochi World's desires and possesses it, turning it into a Hitotsuki.

Haruka: " What a twist!"

INT. CHURCH - DAY

The three Cerebrans enter the church. Jirou is still slumped next to Tarou's casket. Sonoi walks up to him, with Sononi and Sonoza in tow.

Sonoi: "Jirou."

Jirou: "Sonoi..."

Sonoi: "Do you want a chance to make up for your mistake?"

Jirou: "Huh...?"

EXT. STREETS - DAY

Tsubasa: "Let's run! We're not Donbrothers anymore...!"

Avajiroki: "You get a kashiwa mochi! You get a kashiwa mochi! And you get a kashiwa mochi!"

The Kashiwa Mochi World, now Avajiroki, stuffs assorted kashiwa mochi into people's mouths. The four ex-Donbrothers can only watch helplessly.

INT. CHURCH - DAY

Jirou: "What are you talking about, Sonoi?"

Without a word, Sonoi moves to lift the cover of Tarou’s casket. Jirou moves aside, unsure of what the Cerebran is planning. 

Sonoi: “Tarou… This life that I received from you… is one I must return.”

Sonoza: “Sonoi…?”

Sonoi opens his mouth and vomits a red liquid into the casket before slumping to the floor.

Sononi & Sonoza: "Sonoi!"

They rush to his side.

EXT. STREETS - DAY

Avajiroki turns to Haruka, Shinichi, Tsuyoshi, and Tsubasa after knocking out the other pedestrians with excessive mochi. Suddenly, Kaito steps in its way, forcing it back by firing his Geartlinger. 

Haruka: "Boss!"

Kaito: "Change Zenkai."

Kaito transforms into Zenkaizer Black.

Avajiroki: "Zenkaizer?! Wait, what's going on?!"

Zenkaizer Black fights Avajiroki as the ex-Donbrothers watch on.

Zenkaizer Black: "The four of you don't truly wish to give up being heroes, do you?!"

Tsuyoshi: "I mean..."

Shinichi: "It's already too late..."

A familiar tune in the distance interrupts them.

Tsubasa: "That's...!"

Several dancers followed by burly men carrying a casket atop a palanquin appear around the corner. A muffled, but distinctly boisterous laughter comes from within.

Haruka: "That voice...!"

Don Momotaro pops out of the casket as the dancers sprinkle their trademark confetti.

Don Momotaro: "It's a festival, a festival, people! Even brushing past one another forms a small bond! A pebble you stumble over is just a part of a bond! Dance together and those bonds grow tighter! The whole world's a paradise! Just blow all your troubles away and laugh! Laugh with me!"

Shinichi: "Tarou...!"

Tsuyoshi: "B-but how?!"

Don Momotaro jumps off the palanquin and starts fighting Avajiroki himself. Jirou arrives just in time to witness his battle. Seeing this, Zenkaizer Black pulls out the Donbrothers' sunglasses that they left behind.

Zenkaizer Black: "Have you regained the courage to be Donbrothers once more?"

Haruka: "Yes!"

Zenkaizer Black throws everyone their glasses, restoring their powers. 

Jirou: "Let's do this, everyone!"

The others are caught off guard by Jirou's sudden appearance, but they quickly get into position regardless.

The Donbrothers: "Avatar Change!"

Together, they transform and drag Avajiroki away.

INT. CHURCH - DAY

Sonoi rests against a wall, with Sononi and Sonoza by his side.

Sonoi: "Will the two of you blame me for losing my Cerebran pride?"

Sonoza: "We already lost that when we joined the Donbrothers, didn't we?"

Sononi: "All of us... have changed."

Sonoi: "Yeah... You're right."

Sonoi slowly closes his eyes.

Sononi: "Sonoi!"

Sonoza: "Sonoi!"

INSERT DONBROTHERS VS ZENKAIGER CROSSOVER HERE

.........

......

...

INT. CAFE DONBURA - DAY

Tarou walks into the cafe.

Don Murasame (O.S.): "Welcome."

Don Murasame stands at the front desk, wearing the Cafe Donbura waitress outfit. Tarou takes a seat.

Tarou: "I'll have some kibi dango."

Don Murasame: "Would you like a cup of hojicha to go along with that?"

Tarou: "Sure."

Mother: (V.O.): "Nicely done, Murasame."

Murasame giddily skips into the back to prepare Tarou's order. Suddenly, Tarou hears a loud crash behind him. He turns around to see the other five Donbrothers in a pile.

Tarou: "You were all hiding in the bathroom?"

Tsuyoshi: "Well, you see, Mr. Momoi..."

Tsubasa: "These guys were too scared to talk to you."

Haruka: "Get off me before you guys start explaining!"

INT. CAFE DONBURA - LATER

Shinichi: "You were the one who couldn't help opening the door, Haruka."

Haruka: "Shaddup."

Jirou jumps off his chair and gets onto his hands and knees.

Jirou: "Tarou... Everyone... I'm sorry! I made trouble for all of you again..."

Tarou: "A lot has changed over the past year, huh. But it looks like some things never change."

Shinichi: "And now, a haiku. Seasons come and go, but when you feel the spring breeze, you will know it's spring."

Haruka: "Well, it really feels like we're back to square one, in a lot of ways."

Tarou: "In that case..."

Tarou stuffs the last kibi dango in his mouth before pulling out his Donblaster.

Tarou: "I think I'll have to retrain you guys, from the top."

Tsuyoshi: "W-w-w-wait!"

EXT. QUARRY - DAY

The rest of the Donbrothers, now transformed, run through a portal that connects to the quarry while Don Momotaro attacks them.

Don Momotaro: "Wahahaha! Get your butts back here! It's time to reforge our bonds!"

Oni Sister: "Is it bad that I'm nostalgic for this?!"

Inu Brother: "Wait! We need to show Momoi the things that have changed!"

Inu Brother and Saru Brother start firing back at Don Momotaro. Oni Sister and Kiji Brother join them.

Don Momotaro: "Oh? So you dare to fight back, my companions?!"

Oni Sister: "I know you're enjoying this, Tarou! You missed us, didn't you?!"

Don Momotaro hiccups.

Don Momotaro: "B-be quiet!"

Kiji Brother: "Take this, Mr. Momoi!"

Saru Brother: "We're not going down without a fight!"

Oni Sister (V.O.): "And so, the story between the Donbrothers ends the same way it began. A wacky, crazy battle where no one knows what they're doing."

She stops to appreciate the mess before her eyes.

Oni Sister (V.O.): "All's well that ends well!"

POST CREDITS

EXT. ODEN STAND - NIGHT - SOMEONE'S POV

Someone lifts the curtains to the oden stand.

Sonoi: "Welcome, welcome!"

The Cerebran Brace that used to be on Sonoi's left wrist is nowhere to be found.

The End