DISCLAIMER: The following story is based on fanfiction.Kamen Rider Zi-O, and the Kamen Rider series in general are properties of TOEI, TV-Asahi, and Ishinomori Productions. Soul Calibur is property of Project Soul and Bandai Namco.
Introduction: This one is my second attempt of writing a retelling of the Kamen Rider Ichigou movie from 2016. Last year, I attempted to do the retelling, but I was unable to complete due to focusing with Metroid: KRG Vol. 3 and Go-Onger feat. Build. I hope I could complete this with this time, the Taki Gaiden cast taking place of Samus and company from my previous works. Since we are now past 2016 and currently with Kamen Rider Zi-O.
Without further ado, this retelling of the movie is titled, Rider Time: Kamen Rider Ichigou
Ep. 001: The Army from Hell! [地獄の軍団！/Jigoku no Gundan!]
WARNING: This chapter contains scenes of alcohol drinking. Viewer discretion is advised!
A.D. 2016
(2016年)
Bangkok, Thailand...
In a remote market full of crowded people day in and day out, suspicious men make their way on a restaurant. On the way, people were at bliss, smiling every store across the block served their customers. As for these men, they have something else to deal with.
Once they arrived at the restaurant, they meet up with other two accomplices and went inside. There, they confront a Japanese old man who is eating his meal, and one of them holds him at gunpoint from behind.
"You know why we are here, don't you?", said one of the thugs in his native language.
"You put another one of our kids in the hospital.", the other one added.
The old man, calm as he may be, responded politely...
"Wait a moment. Food must be eaten in peace." , the old man said, at the same time spoke in Thai language. He then put his hands together and reverently prayed thanks after partaking his meal, "Thank you for the meal."
After that, the old man dishes out a sucker punch at one of the thugs confronting him. Then, he attacks the other with a gun, causing nearby restaurant patrons to exclaim in panic. And by using his chopsticks as a weapon, he stabs one of the crooks in the eye, and the other on the hand. The other two goons attempt to attack him from behind, only for them, and the other two to be kicked outside.
"That was delicious, ma'am. Thanks for the meal.", the old man said as he left a cash on the table as payment and leaves the restaurant.
And as for the thugs, local authorities arrived in the scene to arrest the perpetrators. In the middle of the crowd who overlooked the brawl earlier, one bystander asked who is that man.
To which the other bystander replied, "You don't know? That was... Hongou Takeshi!"
As Hongou leaves, he suddenly dropped to his knees at the moment, considering that he's already 70, his body just became weak. For after countless of years defending humanity as the legendary Kamen Rider Ichigou, in his current age, Hongou starts to feel the deteriorating symptoms in his cybernetic enhanced body.
Despite that, Hongou manages to stand up and continued on.
A.D. 2019
(2019年)
Meanwhile, three years into the present...
Kamen Riders Zi-O, Geiz, and Taki are fighting three Another Riders: two grasshopper-based ones and one that's looking like between a ninja and a milkweed longhorn beetle. The two grasshopper Another Riders are Another Ichigou and Nigou. The other one is Another ZX.
Another Ichigou and Nigou are Another Riders based on Kamen Rider Ichigou and Nigou - the first two Kamen Riders. Another ZX is based on Kamen Rider ZX, the 10th Kamen Rider. While Another Ichigou and Nigou are very similar. The only main difference between Another Ichigou and Nigou is that the former sports a red cape and hood that invokes the notorious Great Leader of Shocker.
Additionally, both Another Riders wear a belt that has the symbol of Shocker, as with most Shocker kaijins. Like most recent Another Riders the Kamen Riders fought, they are created in the present day (2019).
Seconds later, Woz arrives in his Rider form. With that, Sougo has the opportunity to fuse with Geiz and Woz to become Zi-O Trinity. However, Another Ichigou calls out reinforcements: in the form of four evil Kamen Riders. Those summoned Riders are Kamen Rider Killbus, Kamen Rider Dark Kiva, Kamen Rider Ouja, and Kamen Rider Odin.
"Get them.", Another Ichigou commands the revived Kamen Riders to stall the Riders.
The three Another Riders make use of the summoned evil Riders to buy them enough time to escape, leaving Sougo, Taki, Geiz, and Woz as sitting ducks.
"Wait!", Sougo tries to pursue them, but Killbus blocks his way.
"Just what are they planning?!", Taki grumbled while blocking attacks from Ouja.
In the midst of the ensuing mayhem, time is suddenly stopped...
Moments later, Sougo, Geiz, Woz, and Taki find themselves at an unknown location as time runs back to normal.
"Where are we?", asked Geiz.
"I hate to interrupt. But, you're facing an even more powerful threat.", Swartz makes his presence known.
It's revealed that Swartz stopped time to bring the Kamen Riders to a safe place.
"Swartz... What do you mean an even more powerful threat?", Woz clarified.
"I'm not here to thank the woman [Taki] for freeing me from Azwel. This concerns the three Another Riders you've recently encountered.", Swartz continued. "I presume that they are an enemy from the past. They are known as... Shocker!"
Swartz reveals that Another Ichigou, Nigou, and ZX are Another Riders created by Shocker. Shocker is an evil terrorist organization notorious for kidnapping a countless number of people, remodeling them into cyborgs that give them with superhuman abilities in hopes of world domination. This terrorist organization was under the leadership of the infamous Great Leader, who continues to resurface each time any successor to Shocker were to be defeated. Shocker even moved their base outside of Japan.
But, that's not all... It's also revealed that Shocker had attempted to alter the timeline in two occasions. However, they were all undone by previous Kamen Riders who opposed Shocker's tyranny.
As Swartz elaborated, "Apparently, Shocker had attempted to change history to ensure they rule the world. But, they were rendered moot by the efforts past Legend Riders. However, that's not the main issue here. Back in 2016, Shocker was divided into two factions: the old Shocker and Nova Shocker. Nova Shocker was more of a corporation leaning in eco-terrorism. The three Another Riders created by Shocker are remnants of the organization. And I have a feeling that they're going back to 2016 to unite the two factions."
The fact that Shocker nearly succeeded in conquering the world by rewriting the timeline twice. Swartz's insinuation that Another Ichigou plans to do it the third time, only that he has to unite the two factions in 2016.
"Why are you telling us about this?", Taki asked.
To which Swartz replied, "I'd rather not answer your question. Just go!"
Later, Tsukuyomi caught up to the four Riders returned to the 95DO. When Taki tells her about the recently encountered Another Riders earlier, as well as Shocker. Tsukuyomi already learned about Shocker first hand thanks to her tablet. Additionally, Swartz mentions that Shocker once tampered with the timeline to ensure their tyrannical rule.
"Shocker... That name sounds ominous.", said Tsukuyomi. "In that case, we have to stop them!"
The next day, Sougo, Taki, Geiz, and Woz boarded in their Time Mazines as they set their destination to 2016.
"Temporal displacement system, activate!"
*Time Mazine!*
In their vehicle modes, the Time Mazines take off and enter the gateway to the time stream.
As the four Time Mazines are en route to 2016, Woz sets his Time Mazine to autopilot and takes out his book before he begins narrating the events of this chapter...
"According to this book... We encountered three Another Riders - Another Ichigou, Another Nigou, and Another ZX. Another Riders created by remnants of the mysterious evil organization known as Shocker. Together with my demon king,Tokiwa Sougo, and cohorts Myoukouin Geiz and Taki, we pursue the remnants of Shocker to 2016, who are attempting to unite the divided factions. The key to Shocker's downfall is: Hongou Takeshi...also known as Kamen Rider Ichigou. The very first Kamen Rider."
A.D. 2016
(2016年)
Elsewhere,
People began running for their lives as an army of black masked men - judging by their skeleton-themed bodysuit and the lucha libre-esque mask, and leading them are two crab kaijins (Shiomaneking and Ganikomol) and one lizard kaijin (Poison Lizard Man), and brandishing a bird-like emblem, they are known to the world as Shocker.
"I can never get enough of the sound of humans screaming!", the Poison Lizard Man said, as he and the rest of his mooks began to take delight of the terror of people who are fleeing for their lives.
Ganikomol replies, "Don't play around too much, we have but one target."
In the midst of the people fleeing, the Shocker kaijins set their sights on a schoolgirl - Tachibana Mayu.
"There's the woman! Get her!", the green crab kaijin ordered the grunts to chase the girl the moment she stumbled. The girl continued to flee from Shocker until their combatmen surrounded her.
"You're Tachibana Mayu, correct? We need your power.", Shiomaneking coerces the girl.
"Me? But, why?", the girl asked.
But, before the Shocker kaijins think about abducting her, they are attacked by another faction representing Shocker! The girl manages to get away from her attackers thanks to the distraction. The other Shocker, to distinguish themselves from the ones who are attempt kidnap Tachibana Mayu, their combatmen are heavily armored, and they are led by two men and one woman.
"Y-you guys!", the lizard kaijin confronted the other Shocker faction.
"Long time no see, remnants of the old Shocker.", said the leader of the other Shocker.
"You fools!", the green crab kaijin shouted. "Wolga! Igura! Buffal!"
The blue crab kaijin then followed, "You ran away from Shocker! What do you want?!"
"How rude. We just grew bored of you guys.", Igura replied politely.
"And your outdated methods.", Wolga added. "That's why the three of us created a new Shocker."
"A new Shocker? You've got to be kidding me!", the lizard kaijin refuted.
In response, the new Shocker began to stand their guard to fight the old Shocker. With Wolga transforming into a werewolf kaijin, and Buffal transforming into a gargoyle kaijin, and Igura drawing out a rapier. The old and new Shocker began to fight as mayhem ensues.
The entire city is full of two Shocker factions killing each other. The old Shocker could not stand against the splinter faction, considering that their grunts have a more advanced armor to their suit. One of the new Shocker's executives, Igura, doesn't have a kaijin form, who is able to make short work of the old Shocker grunts with just her rapier alone.
The girl, still trapped in the middle of the chaos is still trying to find her way to escape. But still faces the risk of getting caught in the crossfire.
Sougo, Geiz and Taki are the first to arrive at the scene where they witness the old and new Shocker fighting amongst each other. The latter two quickly jump into the frey; Geiz uses his Geiz and Geiz Revive Ridewatch (in Gouretsu Mode) and Taki taking out the Rock Miridewatch to soften things up.
*Geiz! Geiz Revive Gouretsu!* / *Rock!*
Geiz equips his watches into his Zikuu-Driver, followed by Taki slotting the Rock Miridewatch into the Beyondriver and they both transform as they shout "Henshin!"
*Rider Time! Re-Vi-Ve! Gou~retsu~! Gouretsu!* / *Touei! Future Time! Tochi! Tsuchi! Daichi! Futurering Rock! Rock!*
Geiz Revive Gouretsu and Taki Futurering Rock then began mowing the old and new Shocker grunts.
"Alright! I'm going too!", Sougo then takes out his Zi-O and Decade Ridewatches...
*Zi-O! D-D-D-Decade!*
Now equipping the watches into the Driver, Sougo spins the Zikuu-Driver as he Armor Time into Decade Armor.
*Armor Time! KamenRide! Decade, Decade! DE~CADE~!*
Both enemy factions took notice the arrival of the Kamen Riders from the future...
"Who are you people?", asked Wolga.
To which Taki replied, "Wouldn't you like to know."
Wolga replied in return, "Now that you've witnessed too much, the three of you will going to die!"
Even with the old and new factions might be busy killing each other, they also see one equal enemy on the three Kamen Riders from the year 2019. But, the numbers is making things all the more hairy. This prompts Sougo, Taki, and Geiz to resort to high-speed attacks.
Geiz tosses the Drive watch to Taki and the Faiz watch to Zi-O. Taki reverts back to Genesis Type. Sougo rotates the dial of the Faiz watch before he can put it into the Decade Ridewatch. Geiz then rotates the Revive watch 360 degrees to activate Shippu Mode.
*Speed Time! Revive Shippu! Shippu!* / *Final Form Time: F-F-F-Faiz!*
The heavy armor of Revive Gouretsu transforms into wings, revealing the armor for Revive Shippu. Followed by the Decade Armor's undersuit, arm and leg armors transforming into that of Kamen Rider Faiz's Axel Form. The right shoulder now reads "Faiz" (ファイズ) and in the chest armor and left shoulder armor has "Axel" (アクセル). Then, the monitor of the Decade Armor changes, now showing the face of Faiz Axel Form.
Taki then prepares to close the Beyondriver with the Drive Ridewatch equipped. Sougo then presses the red switch of the Faiz Axel Watch.
*Start Up!* / *Drive Ridewatch Break!*
To start, Taki executes Drive Armor's Hissatsu Time Burst. A version of Drive's Rider Punch finisher called the JustiSmash, where she hits multiple enemies by speeding and drifting as she rapidly punches them.
Zi-O in Decade Armor Faiz form takes out the Faiz Shot Shot, and wields it on his right hand, he likewise delivers speed punches on multiple enemies.
*Tsume Renzan!*
Followed by Geiz Revive Shippu pressing the Zikan Jaclaw's button (while in Tsume Mode). GeizRevive then shoots massive amounts of energy Darts from Jaclaw Edge: Tsume that capable to destroy multiple Shocker grunts at once.
"Don't let that woman escape!", Poison Lizard Man orders the grunts to go after her.
With the path now clear of attackers, Mayu takes the chance to escape, only to be blocked by more Shocker grunts and more chasing after her.
*Time Out!*
Zi-O still in Decade Armor Faiz Form catches up, though that his speed time now expired. But, it was enough to protect Mayu. But, Wolga makes short work of Sougo.
Woz arrives in Futurering Shinobi and decides to escort the girl to a safe place.
"This way!", Woz asks the girl to follow his lead, only to encounter more Shocker grunts. "Grr... Pests!"
*Zikan Despear! Kamashitsugi!*
Mayu is separated from her escort as she is chased by another wave of Shocker grunts, until a familiar man comes for the save... It was none other than Hongou Takeshi. Hongou tossed a duffle bag at the grunt and fight the other grunts.
While Sougo gets pushed to a corner by Wolga, he notices the presence of the elderly man fighting the Shocker grunts. The werewolf kaijin gives Sougo a shock on the forearm that forced him back to normal Decade Armor.
Sensing Sougo in danger, Woz rushes to him, "My demon king!"
Hongou manages to fend off the attackers as Mayu escapes.
Sougo and the others are then forced to retreat for now...
Meanwhile at the forest, the four Kamen Riders and Tsukuyomi make camp on the woods. They even have their own individual tents.
Tsukuyomi uses her futuristic tablet to heal Sougo and Geiz's wounds. Taki and Woz began discussing about the sudden presence of the old man who fought off the Shocker grunts.
"This is curious... How did a 70-year old man was able to hold off Shocker's footsoldiers without breaking a sweat?", Woz pondered.
"I have no idea.", Taki replied. "And what's weird... Is that Shocker are chasing after that girl. Just what are they planning to do?"
After healing Sougo and Geiz's wounds, Tsukuyomi researched on her tablet of the identity of the girl.
"The girl's name is Tachibana Mayu.", Tsukuyomi passes the tablet to Geiz. "She is the grandchild of the owner of the Tachibana Racing Club, Tachibana Tobei, who is deceased. Both her mother and father also died at some point. She attends at Jounan University. After school, she has a part-time job."
In order to get close to Mayu, one of the party has to go undercover as a teacher in the school. So, Sougo voluntarily decides to do the undercover work. Additionally, Woz provides Sougo the appropriate attire to fit in faculty members of the school.
Later that night, Taki and Woz visit a bar. The two talk about Nova Shocker, the "new" splinter faction that departed from the old Shocker.
"Did Swartz mention that Nova Shocker plan to take over the economy?", Taki asked.
"More likely.", the recordkeeper replied. "It's said that Nova Shocker go by this company name: SHOCKER NOVA Co., Ltd. They're operating as some kind of a mega corporation. But, still... Nova Shocker's presence is really vexing... I have a bad feeling that their actions will do nothing but endanger the environment."
Their discussion is interrupted by a sudden commotion.
Two men in suits with Shocker armbands arguing amongst themselves. One appears to be from the old Shocker, and the other one from Nova Shocker. They could barely say any word, let alone these verbal tics of "Ei! Ei!". As the two start to heckle each other down to the floor, their suits come off, now in their respective grunt uniforms.
Other bar patrons witness the commotion in shock as the two grunts of their respective factions continue brawling until Taki interrupts. The demon huntress brawled with the two ruffians before kicking them out of the bar, causing them to flee in fear.
As Taki sees the two grunts running, she peppers her words in French, "Connais ta honte, lout mal élevé." (Know your shame, ill-bred louts.)
The following day...
At an affiliated high school campus of Jounan University, where Mayu is currently in her high school, presumably senior high.
Sougo was assigned as an English teacher in Mayu's class. When Sougo is reading a story that's part of the topic of the class, his pronunciation is all the more weird...
"Sataday morning was come a au da samma was-was light-"
One of the students interrupt. "Sensei!"
"Yes? Do you have a question?", Sougo replied.
"I know you're just a student teacher, but your pronunciation is abysmal."
The other students laughed, much to Sougo's surprise and is somewhat aware of it. Either way, he decided to continue.
Among the students in the room, Geiz himself is in this undercover mission too. While wearing a uniform the same with the Jounan students, his leather collar and Ridewatch holder is still present.
"Jesus Christ, Zi-O...", Geiz can only smack his palm on his forehead in dismay as if Sougo is messing up.
Later, by the time noon passed. Mayu is seen eating lunch with her classmates outside the school grounds.
Sougo and Geiz are observing her from a distance... But when Mayu notices Sougo, she smiles at him. Geiz, on the other hand, couldn't care less.
"Asshole...are you in-love?", Geiz spoke with his mind as he notices Sougo taking an interest with Mayu.
Sougo would then observe Mayu even in her PE class. Geiz decided to let Sougo continue the undercover mission on his own.
After school, Mayu then gives Sougo a flower at the flower shop as if she expresses her gratitude to him.
When Sougo and Geiz returned back to their camp. It seems that Sougo insinuated that Mayu is a nice girl and has nothing to do with Shocker.
"She's a nice girl... Mayu-chan...", said Sougo.
""Mayu-chan"?!", exclaimed Taki, Tsukuyomi, and most especially Geiz.
"There's no way such a nice girl would have anything to do with Shocker.", Sougo continued
To Geiz's chagrin, he answered, "Jesus fucking Christ! You're NOT investigating this seriously! You're too enticed on that girl."
Taki looked on the notebook Sougo used in his undercover mission. Tsukuyomi, Geiz and Woz looked at what appears to be a picture of Sougo and Mayu on the photo booth.
"Do people still use photo booths nowadays?", Tsukuyomi sighed.
"I knew Zi-O would mess up...", Geiz added.
Woz then proceeds to draw Geiz's ire in a nonsensical fashion, "Don't tell me you're jealous, Geiz-kun?"
"Screw you.", Geiz refuted.
Taki ceases the argument for the time being and takes it upon herself, "Enough. Now it's my turn."
The next day, it's Taki's turn to go undercover. This time as a chemistry teacher. All while channeling Kiryu Sento's personality.
During the lesson proper, Taki calls Mayu to assist her in solving a formula on the board.
After that, Mayu returns back to her seat. Taki spoke to her thoughts. The girl appears to be friendly as what Sougo mentioned earlier. But, Mayu suddenly stumbles head-first onto the table.
"Tachibana-kun?", Taki then rushes at the girl. "Are you alright?!"
Suddenly, Mayu's eyes began to glow blue and lashed out on Taki.
An ominous voice spoke through Mayu, "Don't touch me! The blood of nobility runs through my veins! Back off, worm!"
By the time class is over, Mayu is set to go to her part-time job. Along the way, Taki followed her. Mayu apologizes to the latter about what happened earlier.
"I'm sorry about earlier. My mind just went into a haze.", she said.
"Mind if I travel with you along the way?", Taki replied. However, she senses an approaching presence... "Look out!"
Several Shocker grunts spawn out of nowhere and set their sights on Mayu. Taki stood her guard and asks Mayu to stay on her side. Despite being Shocker's target, Mayu is trained with martial arts and fends off the grunts.
Shiomaneking then appeared.
"You louts again!", Taki then removes her school teacher disguise, revealing her signature skin-tight body suit and oni-themed ornaments. "You left me no choice..."
*Taki!*
Taki takes out her Miridewatch and slots it into the Beyondriver. After that, she pressed the watch's switch before closing the Driver.
"Henshin!"
*Touei! Future Time! Fuma Kanryou! Sousei! Kakumei! Kamen Rider Taki! Taki!*
*Ryuuseimaru! Gattai!*
Taki transforms into Kamen Rider Taki Genesis Type, the suit up sequence ends with the hirigana for "Rider" (らいだー) branded onto her visor. Taking out the Ryuuseimaru in Gattai Mode, she and Mayu try to keep a distance from Shiomaneking and his grunts.
"Tachibana Mayu, I am here for your soul.", said the crab kaijin.
"Not a chance!", Taki answers back.
Just as Shiomaneking and his grunts could make their move, Hongou appears out of nowhere and attacks the Shocker grunts.
"Are you okay, Mayu?", Hongou turned his eyes on the girl.
"Takeshi...", Mayu calls Hongou by his name.
Shiomaneking and his grunts back away from Hongou as the latter approaches them and takes off his jacket. The old man's presence means serious.
Within moments, he exclaims, "Rider!" as he points his right arm at a diagonal position before circling towards the left. "Henshin!", before executing a piston-like action using his left arm. Causing his belt to open up exposing a turbine that absorbs wind energy. The windmill-like devices in his belt spins as he suits up into a bulky, armored version of Kamen Rider Ichigou.
"That's...", Taki can look in surprise.
Shiomaneking reacts to the return of an old foe, "It can't be... You are...!"
On the next episode...
(次回挿話)
The old Shocker have focused themselves in reviving Ambassador Hell, while Nova Shocker are blackmailing the Japanese government into trying out their new device, which puts the country in crisis. Meanwhile, Another Ichigou and his cohorts are coercing Nova Shocker to their cause...
Meanwhile, after meeting Mayu... Hongo can only do but atone for his failure to look after his boss's granddaughter for not being with her.
Next time on Rider Time: Kamen Rider Ichigou, Episode 02: A Black Shadow Aiming at Mayu!
Author's Note:
The title of this chapter is taken from the second line of the song Let's Go! Rider Kick!.
The evil Riders revived by 2019 Shocker that Sougo, Taki, and Geiz fought draw parallels to Shocker in general:
- Kamen Rider Odin: This Rider maybe the closest thing to match the eagle emblem of Shocker. Despite that Odin's motif is based on a phoenix. Granted, Odin is the only Rider in Ryuki that lacks any identity, let alone being a puppet of Shiro Kanzaki, who is almost the closest thing to the Great Leader of Shocker.
- Kamen Rider Killbus: Since the franchise is known for bringing out the spider-bat-cobra trio of monsters in the series, Killbus is a spider Rider and the final match of Night Rogue and Blood Stalk's spider-bat-cobra trinity in Build. The first Shocker kaijin Hongou fought is Spider Man (no, not the webhead of the same name from Marvel comics), a spider monster.
- Kamen Rider Ouja: The cobra Rider. He is the closest thing to Cobra Man. A cobra monster who gets upgraded in a later episode. Asakura/Ouja is easily of the most dangerous Riders not just in Ryuki but in the entire franchise, which makes him notorious for his cruelty and violent nature.
- Kamen Rider Dark Kiva: The equivalent to Bat Man. Dark Kiva in most crossovers, is used as one of the revived evil Riders, such as in the Kamen Rider Yongou special and in the Kamen Rider Brave: Beast Rider Squad special.
Also, the Big Bad of this story is not Wolga. It's Another Ichigou. While Another Ichigou and Nigou have a very identical appearance, their distinguishable difference being their colors. Another Ichigou sports a cape and a hood that evokes the Great Leader of Shocker. This also suggests that Another Ichigou is another successor to the original Great Leader. Also, Another Ichigou is voiced by Tomokazu Seki, who has been the voicing the Great Leader's latest appearance following Goro Naya's death.